Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., is encouraging Jamaicans to participate in the upcoming Workers’ Week 2025 activities. Workers’ Week will be celebrated from May 18 to 23 under the theme ‘Transforming Jamaica’s Workforce for Greater Resilience and Sustainable Development’. Addressing the Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF) 41st Annual Business and Workplace Convention on May 15 at...

The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP), which facilitates farmworkers from Jamaica to the United States (US), has been a very important pillar of the nation’s labour migration strategy for decades. This was stated by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., today (May 15), at the Jamaica Central Labour Organisation webinar. “Thousands of families have been positively...

Although the Government has successfully reduced the number of employment agencies operating illegally on the island, the Labour and Social Security Ministry is still urging jobseekers to exercise due diligence to avoid employment scams. The caution was given by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., during a post-sectoral press briefing at the Ministry’s offices, on May 14. He explained that...

The recently shuttered Whole Hearted Company Services Limited auto repair shop, in Ferry Pen at the St. Andrew and St. Catherine border, will be allowed to resume its operations once it has met all the legal requirements. That assurance was given by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., as he responded to questions on the status...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., on May 13, announced the creation of a National Skills Bank (NSB), an all-encompassing database designed to identify labour shortages and mismatched skillset allocation. “It will effectively guide and redirect workforce planning, forecast future demand for skills and lead the way in creating an upskilling and cross-skilling culture,” Mr. Charles...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through partnership with the World Bank, is completing a comprehensive assessment of the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). “This includes an analysis of the processes and targeting methodology and a thorough assessment of the automated system we use for beneficiary selection. This assessment is ongoing, and we expect to improve...

Cabinet has approved the introduction of the unemployment insurance benefit, which will be added to the suite of provisions under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). The new benefit will serve as a guaranteed safety net for all employees who contribute to the NIS, except for self-employed persons. Additionally, work is under way to establish the requisite legal and institutional frameworks...