News Categories: Media Release

Public Relations Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Labour & Social Security Minister Hosts Courtesy Call by the US Ambassador

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Karl Samuda, hosted the US Ambassador to Jamaica, Mr. N. Nickolas Perry, who paid a Courtesy Call on the Minister at his North Street office, earlier today.  Ambassador Perry holds the distinction of being the first person of Jamaican birth to hold this office.

In welcoming the Ambassador, Minister Samuda expressed deep pride at the ascension of a fellow Jamaican to the office of US Ambassador to Jamaica, and noted that his presence was of great significance to the Ministry.  For his part, Ambassador Perry thanked the Minister for the opportunity to discuss meaningful issues that impact the quality of life of the Jamaican people, and congratulated Jamaica on attainment of its 60^th year of Independence.

Minister Samuda, who was accompanied by Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Colette Roberts Risden, engaged the Ambassador in discussions surrounding cooperation between the Government of Jamaica and the US Government, particularly on Labour issues. The Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening these relations, as Jamaica sends more than 5,000 Farm Workers to the United States of America each year, and highlighted the significance of the earning capacity for each family, noting that as much as 85% of earnings are repatriated to Jamaica.

The Permanent Secretary noted that Jamaica has been supplying seasonal workers for US farms for the past 78 years, and that in addition to providing these employment opportunities, the US Department of Labour has been providing technical support to Jamaica in several areas, including development of the Ministry’s Labour Market Information System (LMIS), Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) procedures, and policies on Child Labour and Trafficking in Persons. Mrs. Roberts Risden told the Ambassador that given the multiple areas of collaboration, Jamaica is looking forward to signing a Cooperation Agreement on labour between both governments. Minister Samuda noted that signature of such an agreement during the tenure of the Ambassador would be a significant achievement.

The Minister also engaged the Ambassador in discussions surrounding the need for adequate Health Insurance for Jamaican Farm Workers.  Following the discussions, Minister Samuda and the Permanent Secretary led the Ambassador and Consul General, Stephen Black, on a tour of the Overseas Employment Centre on East Street, to observe the processing of Farmworkers ahead of their departure for various destinations in the United States.

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

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Friday, June 10, 2022

Minister Samuda Pushes for 2022/23 Financial Year Implementation of OSH Bill

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Karl Samuda has asserted that the Ministry team has been moving swiftly in providing support to the legislative process to complete redrafting of the Occupational Safety and Health Bill (OSH Bill) for its tabling in the Houses of Parliament.

Minister Samuda made his comments during a Courtesy Call with the President of the Jamaica Occupational Health and Safety Professionals Association (JOHSPA), Dr. Yohann White, at the Ministry’s North Street offices in Kingston, last Thursday (June 9). The Minister noted, that the OSH Bill remains a serious priority of his and the goal is to have the matter completed before the end of the 2022/2023 Fiscal year.

“We have put everything in motion thus far and I have spoken to the Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs regarding the urgency and importance of having the revised bill completed as quickly as possible”, Minister Samuda said.

According to the Minister, the timeline given for the legislation to be in place can be strenuous however, he believes the Bill has been languishing for far too long and must be put in place to regulate safety practices in the workplace to help in curtailing on-the-job injuries and fatalities.

On the other hand, Minister Samuda indicated that Occupational Health and Safety is a very challenging field, partly due to the lack of observation and compliance with rules and procedures, especially in the Construction Sector.

“It would be inaccurate to suggest that we are not focused on getting the Bill passed but the Bill is only part of the solution”, the Minister said.

He further indicated that he welcomes collaborations with JOHSPA and looks forward to their continued support on Occupational Safety and Health matters.

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

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Thursday, June 8, 2022

Labour Minister Expresses regrets at the Passing of Veteran Trade Unionist, Hanif Brown

The Hon. Karl Samuda, Minister of Labour & Social Security and staff, express deepest sympathy to the Trade Union movement, workers, family and friends of the late veteran Trade Unionist, Hanif Brown.

Minister Samuda stated that “the Trade Union movement has lost another remarkable stalwart who has made an invaluable contribution to Jamaica’s Agricultural Sector”.

Hanif Brown started his life of service to the Jamaican people in the line of representational politics. He indicated that in 1990 he was drafted into the fold of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union and in 1992, became Island Supervisor with responsibility for the Eastern Parishes.

Hanif Brown was one of 25 individuals whose contributions to Labour Relations was recognized by Minister Samuda at the Ministry’s Labour Awards Banquet last Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Mr. Brown was absent due to ill health.

Mr Brown worked in getting better conditions for banana growers in St. Thomas, housing and pension arrangements for sugar workers, island wide.

In his comments, Minister Samuda noted that Mr. Hanif Brown had contributed 30 years of Exemplary service in the field of Trade Unionism, particularly, for his contribution to improved conditions for agricultural workers.

Mr. Brown has left an enormous legacy in the field of labour relations.

May his soul rest in peace.

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

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Be Careful of Farm Work Scams

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has become aware that a ring of unscrupulous persons, presenting themselves as employees of the Ministry, have been fleecing unsuspecting persons of Hundreds of Thousands of dollars, with offers of placing them on the Farm Work Programme. The ring is reportedly operating in Manchester and Kingston.

The Ministry is advising members of the public that there are no costs associated with the Farm Work application process.

Persons who have paid money for these services are being advised to report the matter to the Police.

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

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Thursday, May 12, 2022

Labour Minister Condemns Industrial Action Taken by Air Traffic Controllers

Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Karl Samuda, in response to industrial action taken by the Air Traffic Controllers represented by the Jamaica Air Traffic Controllers Association, has strongly condemned the action taken as the said matter is currently a dispute before the Industrial Disputes Tribunal and is being addressed therein.

Reports have been received that the Air Traffic Controllers are at work but not carrying out normal duties.

“I am encouraging the Tribunal to take the appropriate steps to ensure normalcy is returned to the country’s airports,” said Minister Samuda.

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

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Back to Work Agreement reached with NWC Workers

Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Karl Samuda has advised that a Back to Work agreement has been reached between the National Water Commission and the 5 unions representing the over 2000 NWC workers following 16 hours of meetings.

The workers will return to work starting with today’s night shift, which begins at 11pm.

Minister Samuda says the agreement was reached thanks to the hard work of members of the Trade Unions, the Ministry’s staff, the management of the NWC as well as representatives from the Ministry of Finance.

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

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Ministry of Labour and Social Security Calls Emergency Meeting with NWC

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has called an emergency meeting with the National Water Commission and the Unions, to discuss the actions taken by NWC workers this morning.

The meeting is scheduled for 12:30 today, at the Ministry’s office, at 1f North Street in Kingston.

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

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Monday, May 9, 2022

Ministry of Labour and Social Security Has No Association with LAD Services

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is disassociating itself from an advertisement placed by LAD Services of Grand Cayman, seeking to recruit persons for overseas employment.

The Ministry is advising the public that it is not associated with LAD Services, and that this entity is not licensed with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in Jamaica.

Members of the public are being reminded to exercise extreme caution in avoiding job scams, and to check the backgrounds of recruiters, before paying over funds or providing personal information. A list of licensed Employment Agencies is provided on the Ministry’s Website, at www.mlss.gov.jm.

The public is invited to contact the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s Employment Agencies Unit at 876-922-9500 for further information, or to report suspicious advertisements.

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

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Friday, May 6, 2022

Updating of NCSC Centenarians’ Registry

The National Council for Senior Citizens is seeking to identify persons 99 years and older to update its Registry of Centenarians.

To register your relative, you may visit the National Council for Senior Citizens at 11 West Kings House Road, Kingston 10 or any Ministry of Labour and Social Security Parish Office island-wide.

Help us to recognize and celebrate our Centenarians. For further information contact the National Council for Senior Citizens’ Direct line: (876) 906-9277-8 or TOLL FREE: (888) SENIORS/ (888) 756-4677 or email ncsc@mlss.gov.jm. Please note that the cut off time for submission is Friday, May 13, 2022.

A message from the Ministry of Labour & Social Security. Providing Opportunity, Stability and Social Protection.

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

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

US $1M Investment to Strengthen Social Protection System

Three UN agencies and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) today launched a new effort to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable and to enhance Jamaica’s social protection system to better respond to future shocks.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the World Food Programme (WFP) will be implementing the US $1.1 million joint programme “Modernization of the Social Protection Systems in Jamaica: Towards an Adaptive, Shock Responsive, Inclusive System”.

Globally, evidence shows that vulnerable groups are disproportionately bearing the burden of the health and socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, particularly women and persons living in poverty.

A survey conducted recently by the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI) and UNICEF revealed the difficult realities faced by Jamaican families in coping with the impact of COVID-19.

The findings showed that 80% of households reported a reduction in income during the pandemic, with significantly greater loss for families in the lower socio-economic brackets. The survey also found that only 50% of families had enough to support the household’s basic needs for a maximum of two weeks. A February 2022 CARICOM and WFP Survey found that 57% of respondents had faced job loss or reduced income as a result of the pandemic.

The joint programme will introduce tools to better identify persons who face acute socio-economic challenges due to major shocks, such as pandemics and disasters, and strengthen the mechanisms and systems utilized by the Government to provide support to beneficiaries. A key innovation will be the piloting of electronic payments to enable more efficient and faster payments, with an emphasis on payments for persons with disabilities.

One of the major benefits of the programme is that it will provide the most vulnerable groups, including children in poor households and persons living with disabilities, with increased access to shock responsive social protection programmes. In so doing, the programme will be more responsive to the needs of men and women, thereby narrowing the inequalities between them.

“We are confident that this joint programme will help enhance Jamaica’s ‘rainy day’ protection, especially for female-headed households and women working in the informal sector, and families with children and people with disabilities,” said Dr. Garry Conille, United Nations Resident Coordinator, speaking at the launch event. “We are proud to be a launching a programme that will see Jamaica developing more robust shock responsive social protection and increasing its capacity to activate rapid responses targeting the most vulnerable groups affected by COVID-19 and other shocks.”

The joint programme builds on strong partnership between the MLSS and UN. In 2021, UNICEF supported the provision of cash transfers to approximately 3,000 households comprising children with disabilities, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers, as part of the COVID 19 emergency response. Similarly, between December 2021 and March 2022, the MLSS and WFP provided cash transfers to households impacted by COVID-19. This programme piloted the use of digital solutions for beneficiaries to receive their cash assistance and supported increased accountability. Lessons learned from this programme are already being used to scale-up a government programme through the same electronic delivery mechanism and will inform joint programme activities.

“Undoubtedly, this joint programme will offer no less than positive results for Jamaica, especially at this time, when the country is rebounding and recovering stronger from the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the Hon. Karl Samuda, Minister of Labour and Social Security. “Today’s launch marks another important milestone in accelerating our efforts to become a more inclusive and socially adaptable society.”

The joint programme is funded through the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Grant Funding initiative. It is part of a wide set of interventions under the Joint UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Fund that are designed to support Jamaica’s achievement of targets in the national development plan VISION 2030 and several SDGs.

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