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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., is joined by Acting Permanent Secretary, Dione Jennings (left), and President of the Jamaica Household Workers Union (JHWU), Elaine Duncan, in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Ministry’s North Street office in Kingston on Tuesday (March 17). The agreement, coinciding with the Union’s 35th anniversary, formalises an enhanced partnership between the Ministry and the JHWU.

MOU Signed to Strengthen Support for Domestic Workers

The country’s domestic workers are to benefit from training, improved labour protections and opportunities, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Jamaica Household Workers Union (JHWU). The agreement, coinciding with...

Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), Dr. Christine Hendricks.

JCPD Urges More Persons With Disabilities To Register

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (left), transmits notification messages to recipients under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) initiative during Wednesday’s (March 11) Post‑Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House. Looking on is Chief Marketing Officer and Country Manager at WiPay Jamaica, Kibwe McGann.

ROOFS Beneficiaries Urged to Redeem Grants Before Code Expiry

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (centre), responds to a question during Friday’s (March 6) meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives at Gordon House. He is flanked by State Minister, Hon. Donovan Williams, and Acting Permanent Secretary, Dione Jennings.

2026/27 Budget Boosts for Labour and Social Security Programmes

National Insurance Fund Remains Strong – Minister Charles Jr.

2 months ago Social Security

Over $600M Disbursed in St. James Under MLSS ROOFS Programme

Grants worth $619 million have been disbursed to residents in St. James, under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) programme, as of February 26. The total represents 1,436 recipients out of the 13,628 applicants who registered for assistance through the programme. Parish Manager, Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), Georgia Taylor, made the disclosure during the...

2 months ago LabourSocial Security

Persons with Disabilities Urged to Register on JCPD’S ‘I Am Able’ Platform

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to sign up on the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) ‘I Am Able: My JCPD’ digital platform, which is designed to enhance access to services and promote inclusion. The secure, user-friendly platform, developed in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), allows individuals to digitally register with the JCPD, reducing the need...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, delivers the keynote address during the official launch of Chester Creek housing development at Westchester Drive in Portmore, St. Catherine, on Tuesday (March 3).

2 months ago LabourSocial Security

Prime Minister Orders Audit Teams to Safeguard ROOFS Programme from Welfare Fraud

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has directed the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) to establish audit teams to prevent welfare fraud within the Restoration of Owner and Occupant Family Shelter (ROOFS) Programme. The initiative, as part of the Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP), supports individuals and families whose...

Executive Director of the Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD), Kimberly Sherlock Marriot-Blake (second left), converses with (from left) Director, Centre for Disability Studies, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Senator Professor Floyd Morris; Campus Librarian, Main Library, UWI, Jessica Lewis-Marshall; and National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) Board Chair, Joy Douglas, during Monday’s (March 2) launch of the Jamaican Sign Language (JSL) training programme for the public library system. The event took place at the UWI. Spearheaded by the Jamaica Libraries and Information Network (JAMLIN), the initiative forms part of a phased effort to strengthen accessibility across public libraries and promote greater inclusion for the Deaf community.

2 months ago LabourSocial Security

Jamaican Sign Language Training Programme for Public Libraries Launched

The Jamaica Libraries and Information Network (JAMLIN) has launched a phased Jamaican Sign Language (JSL) training programme aimed at eliminating communication barriers within the nation’s public library system and promoting greater inclusion for members of the Deaf community. The initiative, titled ‘Bridging the Gap: One Sign at a Time’, was officially launched on Monday (March 2), at the University of...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (second right), presents a cheque to Hanover resident, Ena Campbell (second left), who lost her home during the passage of Hurricane Melissa last year. The occasion was the Hanover leg of the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) initiative handover ceremony, held at the Hanover Parish Church Hall in Lucea on Wednesday (February 25). Also participating are (from left), State Minister in the Labour Ministry, Hon. Donovan Williams, and Member of Parliament for Hanover Eastern, Andrea Purkiss.

2 months ago Hurricane Relief & RecoveryLabourSocial Security

$334M Being Disbursed to Hanover Households Under ‘ROOFS’ Hurricane Recovery Programme

A total of $334 million is being distributed to 1,217 households in Hanover under the Government’s Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) initiative, as part of ongoing recovery efforts, following Hurricane Melissa. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., made the announcement during the Hanover leg of the ROOFS handover ceremony, held at the Hanover...

Executive Director of the Jamaican Association on Intellectual Disabilities (JAID), Marilyn McKoy, speaking at a JIS Think Tank on February 25.

2 months ago LabourSocial Security

JAID Celebrates 70 Years of Advocacy

The Jamaican Association on Intellectual Disabilities (JAID) will be celebrating 70 years of advocacy for persons with intellectual disabilities and their families in 2026. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on Wednesday (February 25), Executive Director of JAID, Marilyn McKoy, said the association’s journey reflects decades of resilience, pioneering work, and a steadfast commitment to inclusion. Mrs. McKoy further noted...

Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Christine Hendricks.

2 months ago LabourSocial Security

Jamaica Making Strides in Disability Inclusion

Jamaica has made notable strides in advancing disability inclusion, steadily building a stronger culture of belonging for vulnerable group of persons. Over the past four years, the country has implemented key aspects of the Disabilities Act, alongside public education and sensitisation initiatives, to promote equal access, opportunities, and rights for persons with disabilities. Addressing a recent Think Tank, Executive Director...