The Government is developing a National Action Plan to transition household workers and fisherfolk to the formal economy. The initiative is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through support from the International Labour Organization (ILO). Recently, a two-day consultative workshop was held at the Ministry’s North Street offices in Kingston, aimed at garnering the input of...

As Jamaica’s chief border protection entity, the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) continues to make dents in the illicit drug trade, following the seizure of sixteen (16) packages of cocaine at the Sangster International Airport during the course of this week. The seizure took place on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, by officers from the JCA’s Contraband Enforcement Team (CET) and from...

Members of the disabled community are looking forward to the benefits they will enjoy with their inclusion in the proposed National Identification System (NIDS). This is according to Chief Technical Director in the Office of the Prime Minister, Jacqueline Lynch-Stewart, who said mentally challenged persons in particular “are very happy with what is to come”. “They are locked out right...

The Government is seeking public-private partnership to close the soft skills gap that exists among the nation’s youth. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson, says the 2017 National Labour Market survey found that the skills gap was predominant among students leaving high school with no work experience. She is imploring partnership with the Ministry as it seeks...

District Constable, Patricia Savage-Dallas, will be one of several Jamaicans to receive national honours and awards at King’s House on Heroes Day, October 15. She will receive the Badge of Honour for 35 years of loyal and meritorious service to the St Andrew North Division as a District Constable. The Badge of Honour is awarded to persons who have rendered...

Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Jamaica, Dr. Ishtar Govia, says it is time to “bring dementia out of the shadows” in order to eliminate the stigma associated with the condition. “Persons living with dementia are not crazy, senile, or gone off… . People living with dementia and their carers are not to be shunned or regarded as second-class citizens. We need...

Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Shahine Robinson, is encouraging Jamaicans to protect the elderly by reporting incidents of abuse meted out to them to the police or the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC). The Minister said abuse of seniors should be of grave concern to all “decent and law-abiding citizens”, noting that the practice must be stopped. “No...