When the first batch of Jamaicans departed the island on January 6 for Canada, under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP), among them was first-time participant Andre Hollinzed from Clarendon. The 24-year-old, who spoke to JIS News at a farewell event at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s Overseas Employment Centre in Kingston, said he was aiming to make...

The Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD) is working in earnest to improve the employability of deaf Jamaicans through public and private-sector partnerships. Founded in 1958, the CCCD operates three residential schools in Kingston, Manchester and St. James as well as the Jamaica Deaf Village in Manchester. Acting Executive Director, John Meeks, whose substantive role is that of Social...

Blondie Edwards’ journey has been shaped by personal loss and serious health challenges that resulted in the amputation of her left leg in 2022. Prior to her illness, the Lionel Town, Clarendon resident lived an extremely active life and often rode motorcycles, drove, worked and managed daily tasks independently. Ms. Edwards tells JIS News that illness and stress changed her...

As the country observes the Christmas season, the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) is reassuring that they will continue to provide relief support to persons with disabilities who have been impacted by Hurricane Melissa. “I want them to lift their spirits [and] know that the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities is here for them. There are hundreds...

The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) is urging all stakeholders involved in the post-Hurricane Melissa rebuilding process to ensure that buildings are redesigned and constructed to guarantee accessibility for all citizens, including persons with disabilities (PWDs). Executive Director, Dr. Christine Hendricks, emphasises that persons rebuilding should do so using the universal design principles. “It is just simply building...

The inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) Empowerment Workshop, held recently for more than 2,000 senior citizens, was hailed as a bold declaration that Jamaica’s older adults are preparing to step confidently into the digital era, with national institutions rallying to ensure inclusive support at every stage. The semi-virtual forum was hosted by the Broadcasting Commission, the Jamaica Library Service (JLS), the...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has been undertaking a pilot of the digital platform Gov Payout, which will be used to facilitate payments under the $1-billion Solidarity Programme. “We have been doing the pilot for about three to four weeks. We've been able to amend and fix and revise and go through a lot of the testing where...

Over the years, the Overseas Employment Programme has been pivotal in strengthening the economies of both Jamaica and the United States of America (USA). It has provided vital financing support, allowing many Jamaican families to enhance their standard of living. The Jamaica Central Labour Organisation (JCLO) oversees the employment of Jamaican agricultural and hospitality workers in the USA. Established in...