Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness says, urgency must be placed on settling the issue of public- sector pension reform.  Acknowledging concerns expressed by trade unions relating to the five per cent increase in contributions by workers, Mr. Holness noted that failure to reform pensions will result in a “major crisis on our hands”. “I cannot over emphasise that point....

The dust bowl at 3 Deanery Road in St. Andrew, which has long been a nuisance to community members, has been transformed into a multipurpose sports complex. With the conversion of the area, residents of Franklyn Town and its environs now have a space for recreational and social activities, and to enhance their health and wellness. The $46.4-million project comprises...

The Jamaica Government Pensioners Association (JGPA) will be establishing a skills bank, which will enable retirees to continue to utilise their talents to earn an income. Newly elected President of the JGPA, Jonathan Brown, said that retired persons will be able to use the facility as another avenue to offer service to the country. “We’re setting up a skills registry,...

Jamaica’s maintenance of its Tier 2 ranking in the 2017 Trafficking in Persons report is a testament to the country’s notable progress towards curbing the crime. This is according to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Carol Palmer, who said Jamaica has been making significant strides to meet the minimum standards of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of the...

The Government has raised benefits under the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) by 30 per cent. This follows Cabinet’s approval of increases in the 2017/18 benefit rates, which came into effect on June 1. Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, said the increase will also move the base benefit from $400 to...

The Senate, on Friday (June 23), started a debate on the public-sector pension reform Bills. The Pensions (Public Service) Act 2017 and the Constitution (Amendment) (Establishment Fund) (Payment of Pensions) Act 2017 were passed in the House of Representatives earlier this year, with approximately 38 amendments. Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, who piloted the...

Acting Chief Technical Director at the Office of the Prime Minister, Jacqueline Lynch-Stewart, says the implementation of the National Identification System (NIDS) is important, as it will become the primary source for identity assurance, authentication and verification of Jamaican nationals. She said it will improve the governance and management of social, economic and security programmes. “The National Identification System project...