News Categories: Business

For Immediate Release: Monday 1st April, 2019 – Kingston, Jamaica.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security wishes to advise foreign nationals who do not enjoy diplomatic status or are not exempted under the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act, but intend to work in Jamaica, that applications for work permits are now at a cost of $17,250 each, effective April 1, 2019.

Other associated fees are now standardised across all sectors, denoting a single fee schedule which is defined by the duration of the permit. The following outlines the new charges associated with the period of time for which a permit is granted:

Duration of Permit                                                   Cost

Up to 3 months                                                                 $48,875

More than 3 months but not

exceeding 6 months                                                          $97,750

More than 6 months but not

exceeding 9 months                                                          $146,625

More than 9 months but not

exceeding 12 months                                                        $195,500

A Work Permit is a document (card) bearing a number and photograph that is issued to an expatriate which authorizes that individual to work in Jamaica according to its stipulations for a specified period of time.

Persons seeking to obtain a work permit are required to make an application to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security through their prospective employer, contractor (individuals), the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (Jampro – Investors) or through legal representation.

The Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Exemptions Regulations 1964 lists the different categories of persons who are eligible to receive exemptions from the requirements of work permits.

For further information, please contact the Work Permit Unit at (876) 922-9500-12 or visit www.mlss.gov.jm to download information checklists and application forms.

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Contact: Sandrea Dennis Plummer (Mrs), Public Relations Manager Straight Line: (876) 967-5484 CUG: (876) 550-3527|Email: sandrea.plummer@mlss.gov.jm or prunit@mlss.gov.jm

For Immediate Release: Friday, March 29, 2019, Kingston.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security takes note of concerns raised about its overseas employment programmes, particularly the Canadian Farm Work programme, and wishes to reassure the public that no applicant is being turned down because they have soft hands.

Candidates who are shortlisted and invited to attend an interview would have met the Programme’s basic requirements of being between the age of 21 and 45, possessing a Tax Registration Number (TRN) and a National Insurance Scheme (NIS) number, having a valid Jamaican passport; have not been refused a visa in the last year by the United States and Canadian Embassies, have no criminal record and have not been deported from any country.

Upon attending the interview, members of the Jamaica Liaison Service (JLS) in Toronto, (in the case of the Canadian Program) check the applicants to ensure that they meet the requirements as stipulated by the employers. According to Deputy Chief Liaison Officer in the JLS, Mr. Kenneth Phillips, “The physical build and capability of every applicant is very important to the employers, and so, we take those things into consideration. Absolutely no one has been rejected simply because their hands are soft.”

Applicants are expected to, among other things, be able to read and distinguish colours, have a firm grip, and not be overweight. Ideally, applicants should be taller than 5.5 feet. “Farm workers must be literate as they need to be able to read instructions, caution signs and order requests. Imagine an employee picking a barrel of green apples when the instructions were to pick red apples. That kind of activity will create productivity challenges for the employers and they may begin to look to other countries for competent

workers if we are not able to satisfy their requirements. And, if it comes to that, it could take an employer up to six (6) weeks to replace that worker,” said Phillips.

“It is our duty as Liaison Officers to ensure that we select persons who demonstrate that they are suitable to participate in the programme to facilitate its sustainability so that the programme will continue to benefit current and prospective farm workers,” he continued.

“The Ministry’s Overseas Employment Programmes are in place to improve the economic status of the farm workers. We are trying to uplift them and change their financial circumstance to a positive one and we will continue to be guided by the ground rules as set out by the employers,” said Chief Technical Director of the Social Security Division in the Ministry, Mrs. Audrey Deer-Williams.

Under a memorandum of understanding between the Jamaican Government and the Federal Government of Canada, signed in 1966, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has direct oversight of and administers the Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Programme (SAWP), popularly known as the Farm Work Programme.

In response to Article in Jamaica Star, Dated March 26, 2019 – http://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20190326/tough-luck-man-soft-hands-claims-he-was-turned-down-farm-work-because-)

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Contact: Sandrea Dennis Plummer (Mrs), Public Relations Manager Straight Line: (876) 967-5484 CUG: (876) 550-3527|Email: sandrea.plummer@mlss.gov.jm or prunit@mlss.gov.jm

The focus of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities for 2019/20 is the implementation of the Disabilities Act, for which regulations and codes of practices are being developed.

This was stated by Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Zavia Mayne, in a message delivered by Project Director, Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH), Elsa Marks Willis, at the first distribution of items from the Abilities Foundation Food Bank, at the entity’s location in St Andrew today.

“Implementation of the Act will create additional opportunities for persons with disabilities and minimise discrimination against them. We are also striving to put in place the right conditions, so that everyone can participate equally, as we are working towards an inclusive society,” the state minister said.

The Disabilities Act makes provisions to safeguard and enhance the welfare of persons with disabilities across Jamaica. This legislation protects and promotes the equal rights of the disabled and prohibits discrimination against them.

Mayne, in his address, urged all Jamaicans to play their part in creating equal opportunities for people with disabilities, so that they will be able to take care of their families and make meaningful contribution to the growth and development of Jamaica.

“More needs to be done to further integrate persons with disabilities into our workforce and to help them to positively contribute to the productivity levels of the Jamaican economy,” he said.

He noted that the ministry continues to provide support for the disabled community, with more than $12 million granted during the 2018/19 financial year for medical care, and education and assistive aids such as wheelchairs, eyeglasses, prosthesis and hearing aids.

“We have grants of up to $150,000 for persons who are interested in starting or expanding micro businesses. Other benefits provided by the Ministry include therapy sessions, concessionary bus fares with the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) and income tax exemptions in specific cases,” he said.

The Abilities Foundation Food Bank was officially launched in December 2018 by the Kiwanis Division 23 East and aims to address the challenge of food insecurity impacting persons with disabilities and their families.

Mayne commended the service club for the undertaking, noting that approximately 150 people will benefit initially.

“Your act of kindness is, in fact, championing the cause of persons living with disabilities in Jamaica…  Your tremendous effort has helped to make our Jamaican society a better one, and we look forward to a long-standing successful cooperation,” he said.

Source:  Jamaica Observer

Source: IrieFM.net

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson (centre), introduces Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Colette Roberts-Risden, to Senior Volunteer, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Tobita Kenji, when he visited the Ministry on North Street in Kingston, on Wednesday (March 20). The visit came after a press tour of the Work Permit Department, which was held on March 11 and hosted by the Jamaica Productivity Centre, which has partnered with JICA since 2009 to improve firm-based and national productivity.

Source: JIS

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has proposed an average increase of 16.4 per cent to the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) cash grants, with effect from June 2019.

This will benefit an estimated 284,000 persons who fall within the vulnerable groups of children, the elderly, pregnant/lactating women, persons with disabilities, and poor adults.

This was disclosed by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, as he opened the 2019/20 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, on March 7.

Dr. Clarke said the proposed increases in the cash grant to beneficiaries range from 14 to 23.1 per cent for the 2019/20 financial year.

“Some $8.3 billion has been allocated to the PATH Programme to facilitate PATH cash benefits, inclusive of the increases. With this increase, over the course of the Andrew Holness administration, individual cash grants under PATH will have increased by between 45 per cent and 55 per cent,” he noted.

In addition, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is implementing an aggressive strategy to reach into deep rural areas to educate households about their eligibility to apply for PATH benefits, and assist these households with the application process.

Also, additional case workers will also be deployed to strengthen compliance under PATH. It is estimated that about 1,000 families will be case-managed, and grants provided, where needed.

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

The country’s private sector groupings have reported, that the Labour Ministry has responded to the call for a review of the labour laws and code procedures.

The groups recently expressed concern that the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) is employee centric, and had been ruling in favour of workers and against employers.

The concern was raised in the wake of revelations that the government decided to settle with former Human Resource Manager at Petrojam Yolande Ramharrack, instead of having the matter go through a disciplinary hearing, as that would have been more costly.

In a statement today (Feb 22) the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) said they have been advised, that the call for the urgent review of the Labour Relations and Industrial Dispute Act, and the Labour Relations Code, was tabled in a meeting of the Labour Advisory Council on February 13.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Labour and social security requested formal comments from key stakeholders, as to the issues or areas for inclusion in the review.

The groups acknowledged the development and expressed appreciation to the minister for her decision to use her authority and to act on the recommendation to review the act and its code, as well as to consult with the private sector stakeholders in undertaking the modification.

The groups say they are anticipating the review being conducted with fairness, transparency and alacrity.

Source: IrieFm.net

As The Mico University College moves towards achieving full university status, new programmes will be offered that are geared towards training students for new jobs that have been surfacing globally.

President, Dr. Asburn Pinnock, made the announcement at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security at the institution on Tuesday (February 19).

“As we move towards University status, we are now diversifying our offerings to include Bachelor of Science programmes in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, as well as Bachelor of Arts programmes in Literacy, Language and Literature. We will also offer courses in animation, robotics and a wide range of short and professional developmental courses tailor-made for schools and the industry,” Dr. Pinnock said.

“The Mico University College recognises the impact we need to make as the leader in teacher training in Jamaica, and the Vision 2030 goals that we endeavour to make a reality,” he added.

In 2017, Pro-Chancellor, The Mico University College, Professor Neville Ying, announced that the institution started its plans to become a full university, and in 2018, he pointed out that the institution was far advanced in the process.

The MOU is geared towards enhancing the Labour Market Information System (LMIS), an Internet-based system that is operated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. It facilitates job placement, provides labour market intelligence and offers career development services.

The MOU will allow both organisations to begin working together to: better disseminate labour market intelligence, increase career development and populate a Skills Bank with certified persons.

Dr. Pinnock also announced that The Mico University College will be hosting its inaugural Mico International Mathematics Teaching Summit this year, as part of its new offerings.

“The inaugural staging of the Mico International Mathematics Teaching Summit will take place from March 25 to 27, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, under the theme ‘Mathematics for Sustainable Economic Growth and Job Creation’,” he said.

“This initiative is yet another response from The Mico to the increasing demand for more qualified and equipped mathematics teachers to supply our local market as well as the rising international needs. We believe that this event will increase our knowledge networks, create a log of relevant research and publications that will influence future policy decisions and prepare our teachers for the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which will boost Jamaica’s ranking in the world,” Dr. Pinnock added.

Source: JIS

For Immediate Release: Friday, February 15, 2019, Kingston.

It has been brought to the attention of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security that unscrupulous persons, purporting to be agents of the Ministry, have been issuing approval letters to persons; advising that they have been selected to participate in the Ministry’s Overseas Employment (Farm Work) Programme.

The Ministry wishes to advise the public that it does not issue approval letters to applicants. Rather, the shortlisted persons are invited to attend an interview at the Ministry’s offices.

The Ministry also wishes to remind the public that ABSOLUTELY NO FEES ARE TO BE PAID TO ANYONE FOR PARTICIPATION IN

ANY OF THE MINISTRY’S OVERSEAS WORK PROGRAMMES. If you have been approached and offered placement in the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Programmes for a fee, report the matter IMMEDIATELY to the nearest police.

The Ministry is emphasizing that any person engaging in conspiracy or collusion to illegally gain access to the Overseas Employment Programmes will be permanently barred.

Do not get scammed. When in Doubt, Check it Out!

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Contact: Sandrea Dennis Plummer (Mrs), Public Relations Manager Straight Line: (876) 967-5484 CUG: (876) 550-3527|Email: sandrea.plummer@mlss.gov.jm or prunit@mlss.gov.jm