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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses farm workers ahead of their departure for Canada, under the Canadian Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) on Wednesday (January 6). The send-off event was held at the Ministry's Overseas Employment Centre located on East Street, downtown Kingston.

Jamaican Farm Workers Depart for Canada

A total of 183 agricultural workers will depart the island this week to participate in the 2026 Canadian Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP). The first batch of 98 workers left today (December 6), with another… scheduled to depart on Wednesday...

State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Donovan Williams (left), greets farmworker, Arnold Campbell (centre), at a send- off for seasonal agricultural workers to Canada, held at the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Centre on East Street in downtown Kingston, on January 6. Others from (second left) are farmworker André Ellis; Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dione Jennings.

Improved Employment Contract for Seasonal Workers to Canada

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), addresses a send-off ceremony for seasonal agricultural workers departing for Canada, held at the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Centre on East Street in downtown Kingston on Tuesday (January 6). Listening (from left) are Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Mark Berman; State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Donovan Williams; and Acting Permanent Secretary, Dione Jennings.

Gov’t to Safeguard Integrity of Overseas Employment Programme

National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Diahann Gordon Harrison.

Role of Labour Inspectors in Anti-Human Trafficking Drive Highlighted

Cash Officer, World Food Programme (WFP), Lorenzo Nerantzis, addresses a recent meeting of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Kingston.

Residents in Hurricane-Impacted Communities Receiving Cash Vouchers

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, gives a gift to a child during a Christmas treat held at the Petersfield High School in Westmoreland on December 13. Also present was Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (background, second left).

4 months ago LabourSocial Security

Home Repair Grants to Be Given in January

The Government is to commence the distribution of home repair grants in January, says Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. He made the disclosure during a Christmas treat held at the Petersfield High School in Westmoreland, recently. Dr. Holness pointed out that most persons are now moving from the relief phase towards the recovery phase. “They want their...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (second right), participates in the presentation of a cheque valued at $2,200,000, representing the Assistive Aid Grant and the Margaret Moody Scholarship. Joining him (from left) are Chairperson of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) Social and Economic Empowerment Committee, Gloria Goffe-Smallwood; Communications Advisor to the Minister, Rochelle Mitchell; JCPD Acting Executive Director, Desreen Boothe; and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Dione Jennings. The presentation took place during the Handover Ceremony for the Assistive Aid Grant and the Margaret Moody Scholarship at the JCPD Head Office in Kingston on Tuesday (December 16).

4 months ago LabourSocial Security

Seven Persons Receive Grants from the JCPD

Seven persons are now the beneficiaries of financial support from the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD,) through the Assistive Aid Grant and the Margaret Moody Scholarship. Of the beneficiaries, two received the Margaret Moody Scholarship valued at $350,000 each, while five persons were awarded Assistive Aid Grants totalling $300,000 each. Speaking at the handover ceremony held on Tuesday...

Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Audrey Deer-Williams.

4 months ago LabourSocial Security

More Than 50,000 Damage Assessments Completed to Date

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) has completed more than 50,000 damage assessments islandwide, as it continues its response and recovery efforts following the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Audrey Deer-Williams, provided the update at a briefing at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), located at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (second left), is joined by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (third left), as they greet residents of Black River in St. Elizabeth at the ‘Solidarity Live: Community Engagement’ event, at Dunn’s Auto World, Black River, St. Elizabeth, on December 12.

4 months ago LabourSocial Security

Thousands of Vulnerable Jamaicans to Benefit from Solidarity Programme

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says thousands of vulnerable Jamaicans will receive direct cash support as part of the Government's push to help the country recover from Hurricane Melissa. This will be done through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) Solidarity Programme, which was highlighted at a ‘Solidarity Live: Community Engagement’ event, in Black River,...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., distributes gifts during the Prime Minister’s Christmas Treat at the Petersfield High School shelter in Westmoreland on Saturday (December 13).

4 months ago Hurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & RecoveryLabourSocial Security

Specialised Teams Mobilised to Bolster Post-Hurricane Recovery and Safeguard Vulnerable Groups

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has deployed specialised teams to bolster recovery efforts and safeguard vulnerable groups as residents rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., while addressing the Prime Minister’s Christmas Treat at the Petersfield High School shelter in Westmoreland on Saturday (December 13). Mr. Charles said...

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dennis Zulu (left); Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., and Executive Director, Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Christine Hendricks, sign the Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen disability inclusion, at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Conference Room in Kingston, recently.

4 months ago Hurricane Relief & RecoverySocial Security

Ministry Signs Joint Declaration of Intent to Strengthen Disability Inclusion

The Government, through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), continues to strengthen disability inclusion with the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent with the United Nations Development System in Jamaica and the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD). The signing, which took place at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Conference Room in Kingston, recently, comes...