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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, said that Jamaica is fully committed to the principles of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Decent Work Agenda, in improving productivity and ensuring the social protection of workers. “All the tenets of the Decent Work Agenda are being adhered to, with respect to the Labour Advisory Council, the employers, the unions...

Promoting and building a culture of productivity among private and public companies, is the focus of the Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC), in line with the goals spelled out in Vision 2030 - Jamaica's National Development Plan. Director at the JPC, Charles Douglas, informs JIS News that  the Centre conducts research and measurements to determine the level of productivity regarding companies...

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Ministry of Education have partnered to produce a Braille format of the popular 88-page popular version of the Jamaica National Development Plan - the 400-page Vision 2030 Jamaica. Approximately 500 copies of the translated Braille format are being produced by the Ministry’s Special Education Unit, for distribution to agencies and organisations that...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles is encouraging employers to make use of the National Skills Bank to identify skilled job seekers within the country. “The skills bank (provides) a list of skills that are available throughout the country parish by parish, category by category. Through this National Skills Bank, demand or shortages in various job categories...

The programme of assistance to Persons with Disabilities (PWD), administered through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), has been boosted by a US$572,000 ($49 million) grant from the Japanese government through the Japan Special Fund (JSF). The funds, secured by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), will finance the administration's "Support to Improving the Lives of Persons" initiative, with...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, has advised middle managers to recognise the crucial role they have to play in ensuring the success of their businesses. "It is the middle managers who will have to motivate staff towards greater productivity," he said in his address at the inaugural Middle Managers' Conference held under the theme, 'Middle Managers:...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security says that a new committee has been named to expedite the passage of the National Disability Bill. The committee was set up two weeks ago by the National Advisory Board on Disability, chaired by Dr. Patricia Dunwell, and comes against the background of renewed efforts by Minister of State, Hon. Andrew Gallimore, to...

The Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS) is imploring more Jamaicans to volunteer their time in activities to uplift the nation, as it seeks to do its part to give Jamaica a 'Fresh Start'. The National Transformation Programme (NTP), under the Fresh Start Jamaica programme, is trumpeting volunteerism as one of the ways to build national pride and help to...

Efforts to safeguard the welfare of indigents, and other persons in need of public assistance, have been boosted by the Government's implementation of the Social Protection Project. The initiative aims at enhancing Jamaica's social protection framework, by expanding the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). Project Director for PATH, Dunstan Bryan, tells JIS News that since its introduction...

The National Policy for Persons with Disabilities indicates that negative perception and attitude towards disability, has resulted in the isolation and exclusion of persons with disabilities from the mainstream of society. As a result, they are faced with a number of problems, especially in the areas of education, training, employment, medical care, housing, and recreation. Those with disabilities are amongst...

The decade-old National Policy for Senior Citizens, is due for revision, and Director of the National Council for Senior Citizens, Beverly Hall Taylor, says the Council is looking forward to the review, to cater to the needs of Jamaican seniors in the 21st century. "The National Policy for Senior Citizens, needs to be revised to fit with the country's 2030...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Senator Floyd Morris has said that in order for the abuse of illicit drugs to cease, the demand cycle must be broken. He was giving the keynote address at the opening ceremony for a Joint Research Symposium and Regional Meeting of National Drug Councils, being hosted by the CARICOM...

Organizers of the National Poppy Appeal are seeking to raise the level of public awareness and support for the campaign this year. The appeal will raise funds for Jamaican war veterans who fought in World Wars I and II. According to Chairman of the Jamaica Legion Poppy Appeal, Lt. Col. Rocky Meade, the campaign has not received the attention it...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Horace Dalley, expects that by the year 2007, there should be at least 7,000 Jamaican men and women working in Canada, as part of the overseas employment programme. "Last year was our best year in Canada. We had 5,700 workers and 576 Canadian employers. My mission is for Jamaican workers to reach the 7,000...