News Categories: Labour

Public Relations Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Return of Government sponsored Hospitality Workers

Friday, March 27, 2020

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Honourable Shahine Robinson says all Jamaican hospitality workers who left for the United States, as part of the Government’s overseas employment programme have now returned to the island.

According to Minister Robinson, “approximately five hundred and fifty workers returned over the past week, all of our workers are accounted for and are looking forward to returning as soon as it is safe to do so. Additionally, it should be mentioned that upon arrival in Jamaica no worker presented with symptoms of CoVID 19. However, in an abundance of caution and in keeping with the instructions from the Ministry of Health, all are presently in self-quarantine at home.”

The Jamaican hospitality workers were primarily employed in Michigan, Florida, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, in occupations such as chefs, servers, front desk personnel bartenders, house keepers, laundry attendants, landscapers, maintenance workers, drivers among others.

The novel corona virus pandemic has affected most countries around the world with thousands of fatalities. The economic fallout has been significant. The local hospitality sector is reeling from the shock, but Minister Robinson is optimistic that in the true Jamaican spirit of resilience, determination and perseverance our labour market will rebound and be restored to its former success.

“We are a strong nation and when our people bond together in the face of adversities and challenges, there is nothing we cannot overcome. Presently, we are doing much better in handling this pandemic than many developed nations and we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent. As long as we practice safe and healthy routines and lifestyles, adhere to the laws, advisories and medical precautions, we will triumph in the end.”

Contact: MLSS Public Relations Unit Straight Line: (876) 967-5484 |Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jm Like and follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mlssjamaica/?ref=bookmarks; Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamaicaMlss and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlssjamaica Visit our website: www.mlss.gov.jm for more.

Public Relations Unit,

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Wednesday March 11, 2020

The Ministry of Labour & Social Security is encouraging all Employers and Business Operators to explore options for extending their services remotely to customers. This move is recommended as a precautionary measure to safeguard customers and workers to prevent the spread of the new Coronavirus (COVID 19).

Employers are also encouraged to make use of the provision under the Employment (Flexible Work Arrangements), Act 2014.

We all have a responsibility, let us work together to promote a healthy and safe environment.

A message from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Contact: MLSS Public Relations Unit Straight Line: (876) 967-5484 |Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jm Like and follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mlssjamaica/?ref=bookmarks; Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamaicaMlss and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlssjamaica Visit our website: www.mlss.gov.jm for more.

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Monday, January 13, 2020

U.S Agriculture & Hospitality Programme Workers to Receive Award for Long-Standing Service

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Honourable Shahine Robinson, MP will be awarding over 40 workers for their long-standing service to the US Agricultural Farmwork and Hospitality Programmes offered through the Ministry.

The award ceremony which is slated for Thursday, January 23, 2020 will be held at the Melia Braco Village Resort in Trelawny.

The Agricultural & Hospitality Programmes seek to address the shortage of labour in these two sectors in the United States.

Ministry data indicates that the first batch of Jamaican Farm Workers arrived in the United States some 77 years ago in May 1943. In that same year, more than 11,000 Jamaican men were employed in the US and were distributed throughout 14 states, including Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, and New Jersey and in New York. By 1945 almost 33,000 Jamaicans were employed in 38 of the 48 States.

Contact: Public Relations Unit

Tel: (876) 967-5484 Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jm

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.

-30-

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-)

-30 –

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