A minor scoliosis diagnosis became the transformative mark in the life of 22-year-old Nickeil Edwards, a Jamaican now charting her way to a nursing career in the United States of America. The disease, which causes an abnormal curving of the spine, is a progressive, incurable condition that can only be reduced or managed. It was brought to Ms. Edwards’ attention...

Flexible work arrangements, or flexi-week, refers to a variable work schedule that affords employees and employers the opportunity to organise the traditional 40-hour workweek as it best suits their needs. The Employment (Flexible Work Arrangements) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, which was passed in 2014, paved the way for the introduction of this system. Divisional Director for Industrial Relations and Allied Services,...

Female workers have been leading their male counterparts in the out-turns recorded in several areas of notable improvements fuelling Jamaica’s post-COVID-19 employment resurgence. The country’s spiralling employment rate, expanding workforce and rapidly plunging unemployment rate have been largely attributed to significantly increased female out-turns. Data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) April 2023 Labour Force Survey show that despite...

Jamaica’s foray into the Asian market, notably India, continues to reap rich dividends, thanks to the influential role being played by retired West Indies batting great, Christopher Gayle. With his cricketing days behind him, Mr. Gayle has been touring the Asian continent extensively and has been using his legendary status to promote Jamaica as a one-of-a-kind destination with an allure...

Julian Davis-Buckle is now the highest-ranked female in the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB). Mrs. Davis-Buckle, who joined the Brigade 27 years ago, has moved through the ranks of the organisation and is now Assistant Commissioner in charge of Area II, which includes Trelawny, St. Ann, St. Mary and Portland. But her journey in the organisation almost did not happen as...

The new Social Justice Division in the Ministry of Justice stands as a testament to the Government’s commitment to increasing access to justice for Jamaicans. Operationalised in March 2023, the Division, which comprises three branches – Restorative Justice (RJ), Child Diversion and Victim Services, is another avenue for the delivery of justice services outside of the courts. It aims to...

Jamaicans involved in the creative industries are being encouraged to take advantage of the Government’s productive inputs relief scheme. The provision is a duty exemption on the importation of specific items for productive use. Newly minted Film Commissioner at Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Jackie Jacqueline Jackson, tells JIS News that the offer is a major form of support for the...

Jourdyne Anderson’s teacher, Natalie Mitchell Warren, recalls that when she saw her student’s Primary Exit Profile (PEP) scores, which were in the high 90 per cent, she “jumped and screamed for joy”. She tells JIS News that she was very proud of Jourdyne, who had to overcome a double tragedy during her PEP journey. Her grandmother passed away when she...

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...