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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses Wednesday’s (April 15) Post Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House.
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses Wednesday’s (April 15) Post Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House.

Government Disburses $9.5 Billion to Beneficiaries of ROOFS Programme

The Government has disbursed $9.5 billion in grants to beneficiaries of the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) programme. ROOFS is part of the overall Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP) and has been allocated an initial $10 billion to...
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), greets beneficiary under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) programme, Winston Israel, during a ROOFS outreach at George Kirby
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), greets beneficiary under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) programme, Winston Israel, during a ROOFS outreach at George Kirby's Hardware in May Pen, Clarendon on Friday (April 10). 

ROOFS Programme Spurs Economic Activity in Communities
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., delivers the keynote address at the launch of the Government of Jamaica’s Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (GOJ/SAWP) Scholarship, held on Tuesday (March 31) at the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Centre, on East Street in Kingston. Sixty scholarships will be awarded for the start of the 2026/2027 academic year, in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the SAWP.
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., delivers the keynote address at the launch of the Government of Jamaica’s Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (GOJ/SAWP) Scholarship, held on Tuesday (March 31) at the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Centre, on East Street in Kingston. Sixty scholarships will be awarded for the start of the 2026/2027 academic year, in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the SAWP.

Farm Workers Off to Canada as SAWP Celebrates 60 Years
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), greets the youngest farm worker for the April 2026 season, Reneil Chambers, who will be participating in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) for the first time. The occasion was the launch of the Government of Jamaica’s SAWP (GOJ/SAWP) Scholarship, held on Tuesday (March 31) at the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Centre, East Street, downtown Kingston. Sixty scholarships will be awarded at the start of the 2026 academic year, in recognition of the SAWP’s 60th anniversary. Sharing the moment (from left) are Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Mark Berman, and State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Donovan Williams.
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), greets the youngest farm worker for the April 2026 season, Reneil Chambers, who will be participating in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) for the first time. The occasion was the launch of the Government of Jamaica’s SAWP (GOJ/SAWP) Scholarship, held on Tuesday (March 31) at the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Centre, East Street, downtown Kingston. Sixty scholarships will be awarded at the start of the 2026 academic year, in recognition of the SAWP’s 60th anniversary. Sharing the moment (from left) are Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Mark Berman, and State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Donovan Williams.

Gov’t Launches SAWP Scholarship to Mark Programme’s 60th Anniversary
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (sixth right), is joined by State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Donovan Williams (second left); Permanent Secretary , Colette Roberts Risden (fourth left), who is on special assignment; and Acting Permanent Secretary , Dione Jennings (third right), in a photo opportunity with stakeholders and participants in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Programme. The occasion was the commemorative thanksgiving service marking the programme’s 60th anniversary, at the New Town Power of Faith Deliverance Ministry in Hayes, Clarendon, on Sunday (March 29).
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (sixth right), is joined by State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Donovan Williams (second left); Permanent Secretary , Colette Roberts Risden (fourth left), who is on special assignment; and Acting Permanent Secretary , Dione Jennings (third right), in a photo opportunity with stakeholders and participants in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Programme. The occasion was the commemorative thanksgiving service marking the programme’s 60th anniversary, at the New Town Power of Faith Deliverance Ministry in Hayes, Clarendon, on Sunday (March 29).

PHOTOS: 60th Anniversary Church Service for Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Programme

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Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Delano Seiveright, delivers the keynote address at the official launch of the Portmore Incubator and Linkages Forum, held recently.
CommerceIndustryInvestmentLabourSocial Security

Workers in Global Digital Services Sector Encouraged to Utilise Help Provided by Labour Ministry

Workers in the Global Digital Services Sector are being encouraged to utilise the services of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to safeguard their rights and to access avenues for redress when needed. Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Delano Seiveright, made the call while delivering the keynote address at the official launch...
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Jamaica’s Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon Pearnel Charles Jr (right), is seen here with from left Secretary General of International Social Security Association (ISSA), Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano; Minister of Social Affairs and Works in Haiti, Hon. Marc Elie Nelson; and Minister of Social Security in Brazil, Wolney Queiroz Marciel. Occasion was the opening ceremony of the Regional Social Security Forum, held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, recently
Social Security

Country Commits to Advancing Digital Transformation In Social Protection Systems

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., has reaffirmed Jamaica’s commitment to advancing digital transformation in social protection systems. Speaking at the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Regional Social Security Forum for the Americas, which is currently being held in São Paulo, Brazil, the Minister underscored Jamaica’s ongoing efforts to modernise its social protection framework through digital...
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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.
LabourSocial Security

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 the union’s 35th anniversary, builds on the existing partnership between the entities, by providing a more structured and strategic approach...
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Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), Dr. Christine Hendricks.
Social SecurityTechnology

JCPD Urges More Persons With Disabilities To Register

Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), Dr. Christine Hendricks, is encouraging more persons with disabilities across the island to register with the Council, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen inclusion and expand access to essential services. Presently, 15,888 persons are registered with the JCPD. However, reports indicate that approximately 41,800 persons with disabilities reside...
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