Second Woman Serves as Labour and Social Security Minister Hon. Shahine Robinson meets senior staff at North Street

Newly-appointed Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson was briefed on portfolio matters during a meeting with  staff today (March 9) at the Ministry’s offices on North Street in Kingston.

Minister Robinson is the second female Minister to hold the combined portfolios for Labour and Social Security, following Honourable Portia Simpson-Miller who served from 1989-1993. Prior to that, Honourable Mavis Gilmour was Minister of Social Security and Consumer Affairs for one year (1988-1989).

The Minister – who collected her Instrument of Office at King’s House on Monday (March 7) – was welcomed by the Permanent Secretary Mrs. Colette Roberts Risden and Chief Technical Directors, Mrs. Dione Jennings (Social Security) and Mr. Damian Cox (Labour), along with other Senior Directors and Managers.

Minister Robinson was updated on various Ministerial matters, including overseas employment programmes; industrial/conciliation; operations at the Industrial Disputes Tribunal; senior citizens portfolio;  issues affecting persons with disabilities; social security programmes (NIS and PATH) and the thrust for productivity improvement through the Jamaica Productivity Centre.

She charged officers to deliver quality service in their efforts to improve the lives of Jamaicans.

“Working together as a team and in partnership with each other, we can reposition the Ministry given its critical importance in the country’s growth agenda and the IMF programme”, Minister Robison stated.

She pledged an “open door policy and an open flow of communication”, and that she will be working on a schedule to meet with MLSS staff in all Parish Offices, as well as tripartite partners and other portfolio associates.