Twenty-two agricultural science students from 11 schools in St. Elizabeth have received academic grants worth a combined $660,000, from Jamaican workers at Gebbers Farms in Washington, United States (US). The initiative was done in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and GraceKennedy Company Ltd. The money was collected by the workers during their annual Jamaica Day celebrations...

The Government, through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, is looking to strengthen the funding status of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) funding status to ensure guaranteed provisions for future beneficiaries. This according to Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., who says “we have to do the work now and prepare so that those that are coming will be...

A total of 9,587 Jamaicans travelled to Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Programme (SAWP), with 626 participating in the low-skilled programme in 2023. Another 4,306 persons were dispatched to the United States for agricultural work, with 1,238 being deployed to the hospitality sector during the period. This was disclosed by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles...

The National Insurance Scheme (NIS), last year, disbursed benefits to over 137,000 Jamaicans both locally and overseas. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 29). He said the Ministry is acutely aware that for many seniors, the NIS...

A total of 14,932 persons are currently registered on the Social Pension Programme, which recorded more than $408 million in benefits paid out during fiscal year 2023/24. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 29). He advised that...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has introduced a pilot programme for the employment of capable persons with disabilities in the Overseas Employment Programme. This initiative involves partnering with the Abilities Foundation, engaging overseas employers, and establishing a support system to assist workers with disabilities during their employment. “For the first time, we have a batch of three farmers...

More than 1,300 Jamaicans benefited under the Government’s Social Intervention Programme in 2023. They included 423 youth who received education grants totalling approximately $50.9 million and another 367 who were placed in on-the-job training. Additionally, 534 members of Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) households received entrepreneurial grants totalling $87.1 million. This was disclosed by Minister of Labour...

More than 6,000 persons with disabilities benefited from training, assistive devices, and economic empowerment grants, during Financial Year 2023/24. This was disclosed by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., during his contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on Wednesday (May 29). Mr. Charles Jr. said the assistance was provided through a...

Jamaica is moving ahead with the establishment of the country’s first unemployment insurance scheme. Details of the proposed model, governance, management, and investment strategy will be submitted to Cabinet for approval in the current financial year, said Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. He was making his contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House...