The Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) is being hailed by a former beneficiary for “levelling the playing field”. PhD Candidate, Jordon Freeman, was presented with the PATH Trailblazer Award by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, during the 2024 PATH Top Achiever’s Awards Ceremony on April 11. The event was held at the Spanish Court Hotel...

The Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) will be undertaking several initiatives aimed at enhancing workforce productivity and the local economy’s competitiveness. These include a public awareness campaign to educate employers and employees about the benefits of improved productivity, and the implementation of a Productivity Ambassador Programme. Chief Technical Director (CTD) at the JPC, Tamar Nelson, tells JIS News that productivity is...

Stakeholders have endorsed the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) National Poverty Reduction Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) Toolkit, which was launched on March 21. The toolkit is intended to build the capacity of poverty reduction stakeholders, strengthen service delivery to the poor and vulnerable, and increase partnership, collaboration and information sharing. Director of the Programme of Advancement through Health and...

The Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) has been a crucial safety net, impacting the lives of 350,000 beneficiaries from almost 130,000 families across Jamaica. Among the beneficiaries is Zackarie Campbell, a university student who lives in Portmore Pines in St. Catherine, who has been on PATH since childhood. “PATH has always been a part of my journey....

In the face of societal barriers, the Disabilities Act (2014) is an important tool in ensuring that persons with disabilities (PWDs) have equal rights, access and opportunities as other citizens. The legislation, which came into effect on February 14, 2022, stands as a testament to the commitment by Government to safeguard and enhance the welfare of the disabled community. It...

The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) provides a range of pensions and benefits to contributors of all ages and circumstances. The Scheme is funded by taxpayers through compulsory National Insurance contributions and is the source from which pensions and other benefits are paid. All persons between the ages of 18 and 70 who earn an income are required to be registered...

The spending power of Jamaicans at various levels of the economic spectrum has been increased by virtue of several government programmes and policies over the last three years.   The Government has increased the national minimum wage, reviewed the compensation packages of public-sector workers, increased rates for National Insurance Scheme (NIS) pensioners and introduced a new pension programme.   The latest measure...

Blind Montego Bay-based journalist Robert Blake is a tireless advocate for the rights and inclusion of the disabled community. As an executive member of the Cornwall Combined Disabilities Association (CCDA), and host of 'Disability Beyond Borders' on the community radio station, MORE FM 91.7, he platforms disability issues, highlighting the various challenges and pushing for change. His mission is to...

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that an estimated 1.3 billion people globally, representing 16 per cent of the world’s population, experience significant disability. Jamaica has on record about 46,000 persons who have started the process to register as having a disability, of which some 15,000 have completed the process of becoming registered members of the Jamaica Council for...