National Partnership Council to be Institutionalised

The National Partnership Council is to be institutionalised to further strengthen the framework underpinning its function.

This was disclosed by Minister Without Portfolio with Responsibility for Skills and Digital Transformation, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, during Wednesday’s (October 25) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

The Council, which was first launched in 2011, is a social dialogue collaboration involving the Government, trade unions, Parliamentary Opposition, private sector, church, youth, women, environmentalists, academia, and other members of civil society.

Senator Morris Dixon said the process of institutionalisation will provide a more structured framework with respect to the Council’s operations.

“That was never institutionalised. It was always very loose in terms of the arrangement. One of the key goals for this financial year is to have that in place, and that will take us further than we have ever been with a partnership in terms of institutionalising it,” she indicated.

Senator Morris Dixon said the Council’s collaborative approach is intended to facilitate unified actions in addressing matters of national importance.

“We will only be able to fix our issues if we have all of our partners at the table. It is for that reason that the Government remains committed to the social partnership, because we understand that it is important that all voices have a say and all voices are heard as we tackle the really important problems that are facing our nation,” she said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, was slated to chair a meeting of the Council on Wednesday, in keeping with the observance of October 25 as National Partnership Day.

Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, read the Proclamation declaring the Day on October 25, 2022.

Commemoration of the Day annually provides the opportunity to highlight the importance of the Council and the wider partnership process, as well as its importance to national development.