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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Derrick Kellier, has warned employers to pay over employees' National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions, or face the force of the law. "We intend to be very vigilant and firm.in dealing with those persons, who for one reason or the other, have been flouting the law in respect of turning over the contributions of persons...

Children's Advocate, Mary Clarke, has said that proper parenting skills are needed, as parenting practices have a significant impact on the lives of children in Jamaica and the society. "The impact of improper parenting or the lack of parenting is evident today. We hear of teenage pregnancy, indiscipline, school violence, and other forms of anti social behaviour. Ever so often...

Minister of Local Government and Environment, Dean Peart, has said that the government's development approval process was more stringent, with renewed emphasis on creating better communities in which residents could feel comfortable, safe and a sense of belonging. "We are now more strident in the development approvals process to ensure that adequate open or recreational spaces, drainage, sewage, parking, safety...

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Mrs. Carmen Tipling, has resigned from that post and will return to the private sector early next year, according to Minister of Information and Development, Donald Buchanan. He said that the CEO, who has guided the modernisation of the Executive Agency from 2000, has been instrumental in placing Information Communication...

Former Governor-General of Jamaica, His Excellency Sir Howard Cooke, has called on the global community to put its creative energies into solving problems of hunger and famine, rather than creating weapons of destruction. Man, he said, should be using his ingenuity to create a better place for all mankind. "The energy that is put into the creation of destructive forces...

First President of the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC), Vagn Jespersen, was yesterday (Nov. 7) recognised for his sterling contribution to the formation and promotion of the organisation to a position of prominence world-wide. He was among five stalwarts, including two other past presidents of the FICAC, who were honoured during the 8th World Congress of Consuls now underway at...

Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, and Chairman of CARICOM, Dr. Denzil Douglas has, once again, come out in support of regional integration, describing it as the way forward for sustainable economic development within the Caribbean. "I am of the view that the future of the Caribbean has to be grounded in its ability to effectively integrate in such...

Dean of the Consular Corps, Arnold Foote, is the new President of the World Federation of Consuls. He was elected to the post yesterday (November 7), at the 8th World Congress of Consuls, which took place at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Montego Bay from November 6 to 8. The Federation is an international organisation of persons serving in the...

Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, Aloun Ndombet Assamba, has said that there should be no significant fallouts from the United States Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which takes effect in January 2007. "We do not anticipate any significant fallout in terms of job loss and/or foreign exchange earnings," she assured in response to questions posed by Opposition Spokesman on...

Minister of Local Government and Environment, Dean Peart, has said that he was prepared to take strong corrective actions, instead of punitive ones, to ensure transparent administration of funds in the local parish councils, especially as it related to compliance with the competitive tender process. "I am sending a clear message to the local authorities. The affairs of the councils,...

The House of Representatives, yesterday (November 7), approved a Government guarantee for a US$200 million loan, to be raised by Clarendon Alumina Production (CAP) on the international capital market. "The proceeds will allow CAP to meet its financial obligations and put it in a position to contribute in terms of the expansion programme, which is envisaged for the Halse Hall...

Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips, has said that the security forces would be using appropriate action to eradicate crime, violence and paramilitary groups plaguing the island. The Minister was speaking at the 19th staging of the Neighbourhood Watch Conference, at the University of Technology (UTech), on November 4. According to the Minister, the people of Jamaica would not...