News Categories: Media Release

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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Communication Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Minister Charles Engages ILO in Discussions on Transitioning Jamaica’s Labour Market

On Wednesday June 14, Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. held discussions with the Assistant Director General and Director of the Office of the Director General of the International Labour Organization, Mr. Andre Bogui regarding ongoing work focused on transitioning from informality to formality in the Jamaican labour market. The discussions were held during Minister Charles’ participation in the International Labour Conference in Geneva.

The Minister and Mr. Bogui also engaged in constructive dialogue regarding the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill in order to bring it into compliance with international norms, particularly Conventions 155 and 187. The platform economy and the future of labour were also topics of discussion for Jamaica, as well as the rest of the Caribbean.

Minister Charles emphasized the need to address informality in the workforce, while admitting that supporting equitable economic growth, maintaining social safety, and promoting decent employment, all depend on the shift from informality to formality. The Minister reaffirmed his commitment to creating all-encompassing plans and tactics that support the formalization of employment while addressing the unique difficulties faced by informal employees.

Both parties concurred that coordinated efforts at the local, national, and international levels were required to properly handle these complex issues, and that it is necessary to critical

stakeholders, such as civil society, employers’ and workers’ organizations, in the creation and execution of policies and programmes.  They also agreed that, capacity building, knowledge exchange, and international cooperation would be vital to the promotion of best practices and the development of labour markets in Jamaica and the larger Caribbean area.

Following the discussion, the parties agreed to keep collaborating to improve the formalization of informal behaviour, update the OSH Bill in accordance with international norms, and address the platform economy and the future of employment. The Director General’s office and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security will work closely together to develop comprehensive plans, advance policy consistency, and guarantee the protection of employees’ rights and well-being.

Minister of Labour & Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., MP, (right) pictured with Assistant Director General and Director of the Office of the Director General of the International Labour Organization, Mr. Andre Bogui, (left) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour & Social Security, Mrs. Colette Roberts Risden, (c) following their discussions.

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 Minister Charles Secures UNCTAD Support to Develop Improved Labour Productivity Strategy

Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr., met with Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on Thursday June 15. During the meeting Minister Charles commended and thanked Secretary General Grynspan for the work UNCTAD has done in Jamaica to improve trade facilitation, with specific reference to its assistance with the development of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) system in Jamaica, and the development of the single trade facilitation window through Jampro. The ASYCUDA World System is a web based portal that supports paperless declaration processing through the use of electronic documents.

The two discussed the climate change agenda and its impact on the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean. Minister Charles outlined the importance of improving productivity in Jamaica and the negative impact of climate change on our economy. Secretary General Grynspan spoke about research work currently being done by her organization that is attempting to quantify the impact of climate change on the economies of SIDS. Secretary General Grynspan said “it is a difficult research but we need to show the impact of climate change and the size of the debt of SIDS…. If every year you have to build back from hurricanes made stronger because of the impact of climate change caused by our neighbours of the north….   there is a significant loss in potential income”.

Minister Charles agreed and reiterated that in his previous role as Agriculture Minister, “the impact on our small farmers and Jamaica’s food security was quite evident.” The two went on to discuss areas of mutual interest for UNCTAD and the Ministry of Labour. In that regard Minister Charles expressed a desire for UNCTAD to support Jamaica in the area of labour productivity.  The Minister said that, given the future of work, it was critical for Jamaica to identify strategies to reposition its labour force to take full advantage of the opportunities, especially those presented by the digital economy and platform work.

It was agreed that UNCTAD would work with the Ministry to develop policies and strengthen institutions required to expand trade through improved productivity.  Minister Charles further expressed that with the rapid changes since COVID there is need to revisit the Jamaica Productivity Centre to ensure that it is fit for purpose. Secretary General Grynspan committed to assisting Jamaica in conducting a productivity assessment strategy to identify gaps or obstacles and ways navigate or overcome them.

Minister of Labour & Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., MP, and UNCTAD Secretary General Rebeca Grynspan smile for the camera, following their discussions on Thursday.

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, June 15, 2023

NIS Pensioners Begin Receiving Increases TODAY

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is pleased to announce that effective today, NIS pensioners will begin to see the new pension rates reflected in their bank accounts.

This is the first increase received by pensioners under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) in five (5) years.

The Ministry had previously indicated that payment of the new rates, which became effective on April 1, 2023, would be delivered on a phased basis, starting mid-June 2023, with a payment of arrears at the end of June. Some pensioners saw the new amounts reflected in their accounts as early as five (5) days ago.

The Ministry is reminding pensioners who are paid by Pension Order Books, that they will receive the new rates when their new Pension Order Books are due, beginning in July. The first Pension Order Voucher in the new book will reflect the arrears as well as the month’s payment at the new rate.

The pension rate increases are applicable to Retirement Pension benefits, the Invalidity and the Widows and Widowers Pensions, and range from 23% to 76%. The benefit for persons in receipt of Full-rate pensions has been increased by 23%, moving from $3,400 to $4,200 per week.

For persons receiving three-Quarter-rate pensions, the benefit has been increased by 37%, and moves from $2,550 per week to $3,500 per week. Pensioners receiving half-rate pensions will see an increase of 76%, moving from $1,700 per week to $3,000 per week.

Pensioners whose new Pension Order Books are due in the August to December period will be paid the new rate, with the arrears reflected on the first Pension Order Voucher in the new books.

The ministry reiterates our commitment to continue our ongoing work to upgrade our systems and become more efficient in the delivery of our services. We remain steadfast in

our strategic focus to establish service excellence and committed leadership in customer service delivery.

Contact: MLSS Communication Unit (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.

Communication Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Labour Minister to Establish Joint Industrial

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., and the Members of the Labour Advisory Council (LAC) have agreed to host a special meeting to discuss a plan of action to establish a Joint Industrial Council to address labour issues affecting Industrial Security Guards and other labour relations matters.

The matter was raised by the members of the LAC during a meeting held on Wednesday June 7, to brief Minister Charles about the mandate of the Council and labour relations matters to be addressed.

The Council advised Minister Charles that the Ministry is still processing claims made by the Security Guards to the respective Trade Unions within the industry, and is still to determine the way forward.

On the other hand, the Minister indicated that the matter of the Security Guards should be treated with priority and must be urgently but carefully addressed, to restore normalcy to the industry. The Minister also gave his commitment to working jointly with the LAC to have matters of this nature resolved.

The meeting date is to be confirmed shortly.

 Labour Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., (C) addresses members of the Labour Advisory Council, during a meeting on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. With him are Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Colette Roberts Risden (L) and, members of Minister’s Advisory team.

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