News Categories: Media Release

Communication Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Monday, July 10, 2023

LABOUR MINISTER ENCOURAGES NORMALCY DURING CONCILIATION PROCESS BETWEEN NWC MANAGEMENT AND UNIONS

The management of the National Water Commission and the five (5) unions representing its over two thousand (2000) workers met today at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in respect of concerns with the compensation review.

Following several hours of conciliatory talks, the parties have agreed to further review the management’s revised proposal and resume talks at the Ministry on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 2: 00 p.m.

Labour Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., has encouraged “all parties to remain in a state of normalcy during the conciliation process”.

Contact: MLSS Communication Unit (876) 967-5484
|Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jm
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Communication Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Saturday, July 24, 2023

Labour and Social Security State Minister to Participate in Third Regional Seminar on Social Development in Santiago, Chile

Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn, State Minister of Labor and Social Security, will leave the island on Sunday, June 25, to represent Jamaica at the Third Regional Seminar on Social Development.

The event – organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, German Cooperation and the Ford Foundation – will be held under the theme “Promoting Labour Inclusion as a Way to Overcome Inequalities and Informality in Latin America and the Caribbean”, and will take place from June 27-29 at the United Nations regional organization’s headquarters in Santiago, Chile. This seminar will focus on the promotion of labour inclusion policies.

Participants will debate the strategies and innovations being proposed in the field of labour policies, as part of a transformative recovery with equality and sustainability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Further attention will be directed to Social Development with the aim to foster informative discussions on labour inclusion policies that advance efforts to close gaps among academics. Contributors include regional decision-makers, experts from multilateral organizations and the United Nations and will feature lectures by renowned authorities in the fields of Labour and Social Security.

Important issues on the agenda include identifying successful experiences in the region with special attention being paid to highlighting the important role of technology in

promoting workforce inclusion, social protection programmes for at-risk groups and labour market regulations to diminish informality.

Minister Dunn will make his contribution to the seminar through delivery of his address to a high-level panel discussion on Labour Inclusion and Inequality. He is expected to return to Jamaica on July 2, 2023.

Contact: MLSS Communication Unit (876) 967-5484
|Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jm
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Communication Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Friday, July 23, 2023

Labour and Social Security State Minister to Depart to Attend Third Regional Seminar on Social Development in Santiago, Chile

Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn, State Minister of Labor and Social Security, will leave the country tomorrow to represent Jamaica at the eagerly awaited Third Regional Seminar on Social Development in Santiago, Chile.

Key experts from across the region will gather at the seminar, which will be held under the theme “Promoting Labour Inclusion as a Way to Overcome Inequalities and Informality in Latin America and the Caribbean,” to discuss critical issues pertaining to Social Development and Economic Prosperity.

This third Regional Seminar on Social Development aims to foster discussion on labor inclusion policies that advance efforts to close gaps among academics, labor policy decision-makers in the region, and experts from multilateral organizations and the United Nations.

The Seminar will take place from June 27–June 29, 2023, and will feature lectures by renowned authorities in the fields of Labour and Social Security. The importance of technology in promoting workforce inclusion, social protection programs for at-risk groups, and labour market regulations to diminish informality are among the important issues on the agenda.

The State Minister of Labour and Social Security is expected to return to Jamaica on July 2, 2023.

Contact: MLSS Communication Unit (876) 967-5484
|Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jm
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Communication Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Thursday, July 22, 2023

Labour Minister and UCASE Discuss Issues Concerning Security Guards

Representatives of the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE) met with Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. on Thursday, June 22, to discuss matters affecting Industrial Security Guards who have not signed their recently proposed contracts. UCASE President, Vincent Morrison and six members of his team sat with the Labour Minister and outlined that their office was constantly being visited by Security Guards seeking answers on matters related to redundancy, vacation leave, overtime pay and unfair dismissal.

Morrison indicated that although the former Labour Minister has made a commitment to help resolve some of the issues affecting the Security Guards, he wanted to bring them to the attention of the current Minister, with the hope of arriving at a resolution before the matter gets to the courts.

Minister Charles assured the UCASE team that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security stands ready to ensure that the rights and responsibilities of workers are protected.  He however advised Mr. Morrison to sit with his Legal Counsel to assess the legality of the claims, and to then present them to the Ministry. The Minister reiterated that once the concerns have been presented, the Ministry will provide a prompt response and take any necessary action.

Mr. Morrison and the UCASE team agreed to proceed on the recommendation of the Minister, and expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting.

 Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of Labour & Social Security (c) and Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour & Social Security, Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn (r) along with Permanent Secretary, Colette Roberts Risden (l) engages President of the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE), Mr. Vincent Morrison and representatives in discussions regarding Industrial Security Guards at the Ministry’s Head Office in Kingston

Contact: MLSS Communication Unit (876) 967-5484
|Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jm
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Communication Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Monday, July 19, 2023

More Benefit Increases for NIS Pensioners

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is confirming that along with increases to Pension benefits, which became effective on April 1, 2023, three other benefits under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) have also been increased.

Employment Injury Benefits have been increased from $3,200 to $4,200 per week, with effect from April 1, 2023.

The Funeral Grant has been increased from $90,000 to $150,000. The increase is applicable to claims for eligible contributors, pensioners, and their spouses who have died on or since April 1, 2023.

Additionally, benefits under the NI Gold (Comprehensive) Health Insurance Plan (HIP) have also been increased, with effect from June 1, 2023. The increases to the HIP coverage apply to hospitalization, surgical fees, doctors’ visits, diagnostic procedures, dental and optical services and prescription drugs.

The rates of increase for hospitalization range from 25% to 150%. Daily room and Board Rates have been increased from $800 to $1,000 per day, while Hospital Out-Patient coverage has been increased from $2,000 to $5,000.

Coverage for Diagnostic Services, Consultants’ Fees and Doctors’ Visits including emergency Home Visits, have been increased by 100%.

Prescription Drug coverage has been increased by 40%, while coverage for dental and optical services have been increased by 166%.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security remains steadfast in its commitment to the provision of effective social protection services for our pensioners, and all other vulnerable groups in the Jamaican population.

Contact: MLSS Communication Unit (876) 967-5484
|Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jm
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Communication Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Monday, July 10, 2023

LABOUR MINISTRY LOCKED IN MEETING WITH NWC MANAGEMENT AND UNIONS TO AVERT STRIKE ACTION

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is presently locked in conciliation talks with the management of the National Water Commission and Trade Unions representing its workers.

A 72-hour strike notice was issued by five (5) Unions representing the workers in response to concerns with the ongoing compensation review.

The Ministry confirms that there is no strike action at the National Water Commission at present, and assures the public that it is taking all the necessary steps to avert such action.

Contact: MLSS Communication Unit (876) 967-5484
|Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jm
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Communication Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Sunday, July 9, 2023

LABOUR MINISTRY CALLS EMERGENCY MEETING IN RESPONSE TO NWC STRIKE NOTICE

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has called an emergency conciliation meeting in response to a 72-hour strike notice served on the National Water Commission.

The Unions representing workers at the NWC this morning jointly served strike notice in relation to concerns with the ongoing compensation review.

The Management of the NWC and Unions (JALGO, BITU, NWU and UPPE) have been invited to conciliatory talks at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s offices at 1F North Street, tomorrow Monday July 10, 2023 commencing at 2:00 p.m.

Contact: MLSS Communication Unit (876) 967-5484
|Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jm
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Communication Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Sunday, July 2, 2023

Labour Ministry Apologizes for Delay in Payment of NIS Pension Arrears

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is aware that some National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Pensioners did not see their pension arrears for the months of April and May reflected in their Bank Accounts on June 30, 2023.

The delay, which is due to a technical issue, has affected some pensioners who receive their NIS pension benefits via direct deposits into their bank accounts.

The Ministry apologizes for any inconvenience caused, and assures its Pensioners that we are working assiduously with our financial partners to have the issues urgently resolved.

Every effort is being made to have the payments delivered by Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

Contact: MLSS Communication Unit (876) 967-5484
|Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jm
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Communication Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Labour Ministry Calls Emergency Conciliatory Meeting between Civil Aviation Authority & Air Traffic Controllers

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has called an emergency conciliatory meeting for 11:00 am this morning, Saturday, June 17 between the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority and the Jamaica Air Traffic Controllers Association.

The meeting will be held at the 1F North Street Head Office of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority wrote to the Ministry early this morning to advise that the majority of Air Traffic Controllers had called in sick on the 11 pm shift last night.

Contact: MLSS Communication Unit (876) 967-5484
|Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jm
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Communication Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Air Traffic Controllers to Return to Normalcy Today

An emergency conciliation meeting was held today, Saturday, June 17, 2023 between the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority and the Jamaica Air Traffic Controllers Association (JATCA) at the offices of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, following reports of industrial action at the island’s airports.

The Ministry has confirmed that the Air Traffic Controllers will resume normalcy no later than 7:00 p.m. this evening and that the parties will return to local level discussions in respect of the compensation review.

The parties have agreed to return to the Ministry on Friday, June 23, 2023 if there is no progress at the local level.

Minister Pearnel Charles, Jr. thanks the parties for utilizing the platform of dialogue at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and assures them that the Ministry remains committed to amicably resolving disputes in the national interest.

Contact: MLSS Communication Unit (876) 967-5484
|Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jm
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