News Categories: Press Release

Public Relations Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Minister Henry Calls for more Women in Seasonal Overseas Work Programme

The newly appointed Minister of Labour and Social Security, the Hon. Lester Michael Henry, wants to see more women involved in the Seasonal Agriculture Workers programme (SAWP) between Jamaica and Canada. He made his call on July 8 2020, during a courtesy call at his office by the Canadian High Commission to Jamaica, Her Excellency, Laurie Peters.

According to Minister Henry, while there has been a steady minimal increase over the last five (5) years, the time has come to intensify this effort and significantly increase the numbers. He suggested that in light of COVID 19 and the previous challenges faced by the oversees employers, it would be a positive move to have the Canadian Government give some incentives to the employers to provide safe, secure and female friendly bunkering facilities.

He said in 1989 five women were sent to a tobacco farm, this number of women grew to one hundred and thirty three (133) in 2008 and by the 2019/2020 financial year the number increased to 606 under the SAWP, which he noted is still lower than their male counter parts.

In the meantime, High Commissioner Peters, said she is in agreement with Minister Henry’s proposal but, she also wants to keep as her priorities the cementing of the Bilateral Agreements between the two countries and promoting the implementation of other worker programmes by the Canadian Government, including the Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE). She says this programme is administered in Canada through colleges and other institutions and resembles the Jamaican version of Vocational Schools. Focusing on sustainable agriculture, the programme will be a partnership between two institutions in Canada and two in Jamaica; one of them being the HEART/TRUST NTA.

Since the start of the year, six thousand (6000) workers left Jamaica on the Farm Work programme; 75% are returning workers who have spent 20-30 years in the programme and another 20-25 % new recruits. In addition, there was a record increase in the number of young person to the progrmme.

The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) began in 1966 under a Bilateral Agreement between Jamaica and Canada for the supply of agricultural workers to utilize their skills in planting and harvesting of fruits and vegetables.

Contact: V George Palmer, Dir. Public Relations & Communications (876) 820-5373 or (876) 967-5484
|Email: vando.palmer@mlss.gov.jm/prunit@mlss.gov.jm
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Public Relations Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Minister Henry Condemns  Killing of Ministry Staff

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Lester “Mike” Henry is condemning the brutal gun slaying of Ornella Bryan in Kingston on Tuesday night. According to Minister Henry, the 24 year old Senior Secretary employed to the Ministry’s North Street office in Kingston, was killed in the prime of her life in the presence of her 3 year old son. He said he is deeply mortified by the news of the killing and while he did not meet her directly, she was an employee of his Ministry for over six years and that really hits home knowing that her life was snuffed out so brutally.

The Labour and Social Security Minister also said, violence against our nation’s women remains a bedeviling issue in our society and must be arrested. He is calling for persons with information to speak up, speak out and do what they can to give it to the police in confidence, so that there can be an arrest and conviction in a court of law.

As it relates to her now motherless son, Minister Henry says he will become part of the Ministry’s family and every staff member will see to it that he grows up to take his rightful place in the society. He has asked State Minister, Zavia Mayne to lead a Ministry team to visit with the family and provide emotional and psychological support as they grieve her sudden passing.

Contact: V George Palmer, Dir. Public Relations & Communications (876) 820-5373 or (876) 967-5484
|Email: vando.palmer@mlss.gov.jm/prunit@mlss.gov.jm
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Public Relations Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Henry Commissions MLSS Branded Buses

Minister of Labour & Social Security, Lester “Mike” Henry, today, commissioned two (2) new Toyota Coaster buses, retrofitted as mobile units to enhanced delivery of services to Jamaican citizens especially deep rural areas.

In a brief ceremony held at the Ministry’s North Street location in Kingston, Minister Henry, said that the satisfaction of the citizens served by his Ministry is imperative and is at the heart of his priorities as Minister at this time.

The initiative was announced by former Minister of Labour & Social Security, Shahine Robinson in her Budget presentation last year, July 9th. According to Minister Henry, his leadership must reflect the continuation of her dream to deliver all the essential services offered remotely, to citizens located in rural Jamaica.

The units valued at a cost of JMD$25,500,000.00 million are equipped with state of the art features that simulate the office environment of the Ministry. These include:

· Four (4) mini office space for interviews

· 1 refrigerator

· 1 Television

· A number system

· 1 fully functional Public Address System

· An Inverter System (Electrical Power Supply) to be able to power the units while carrying out its functions

· 1 First Aid Kit

· Fully equipped with Air Conditioned Units

A third bus is currently being retrofitted and will serve as a mobile unit for the Early Stimulation Programme and will be commissioned soon.

Contact: V George Palmer, Dir. Public Relations & Communications (876) 820-5373 or (876) 967-5484
|Email: vando.palmer@mlss.gov.jm/prunit@mlss.gov.jm
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Public Relations Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Friday, July 3, 2020

Henry Calls For Paradigm Shift In Disaster Response

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is being called on to use the shared experience and collective wisdom of regional political and labour leaders to develop a paradigm shift for disaster response in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

New Minister of Labour and Social Security, Lester “Mike” Henry says a paradigm shift is necessary because of the health, economical and physical impact created by the Covid19 pandemic. He says emphasis should be placed on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), many of which are in the Caribbean and are suffering greatly.

According to Minister Henry, the pain we feel today must not be lost on the lessons learnt to ensure a better future for all. He says social dialogue among tripartite partners is important to maintain industrial harmony and the fair treatment of every individual, as we gradually ease into maintaining a balance among health and wellness, economic recovery and stability.

He told regional political and labour leaders that we must encourage employers and workers to exercise flexibility, which includes flexi-work hours, “work from home”, rotated staffing and the use of digital platforms.

Minister Henry says, “this is necessary, so that the pain we feel today is not lost on the lessons learnt to ensure a better future for all”.

He was addressing an ILO Virtual Global Summit on Covid19, “The World of Work”, convened in Geneva on July 2.

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

Friday, June 19, 2020

Minister Mike Henry on the ball at Ministry of Labour and Social Security

Newly appointed Minister of Labour and Social Security, the Honourable Lester Michael Henry OJ, CD, MP spent his first day on the job in a marathon of meetings with Permanent Secretary Colette Roberts Risden, Chief Technical Directors, Heads of Departments and other staff members.

Minister Henry said, “my immediate plans and directions for the Ministry will focus on the need for social benefits as these are very important to the development of persons to significantly improve their lives where necessary. The areas that need legislative attention will be highlighted. We are seeking to improve the lot of domestic workers and the workforce as a whole to meet the needs of their social demands”.

Minister Henry was Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister from March, 2018 until his reassignment to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Minister Henry is also the former Minister of Transport and Mining (2016-2018).

Minister Henry took over the reins of the Labour and Social Security Ministry following the untimely passing of the late Honourable Shahine Robinson.

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

Thursday, April 30, 2020

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Thursday,  April 30, 2020. Minister of Labour and Social Security, the Honourable Shahine Robinson has expressed appreciation for the support in donations from the various private sector organizations, in aid of the Ministry’s relief response.

Minister Robinson made the pronouncement following yesterday’s (Wednesday, April 29) handing over of food donation by Seprod Group of Companies and the Seprod Foundation to her Ministry. 

“We are extremely grateful for the support and the many partnerships from the various private sector organizations.Certainly, these donations have been far reaching in our on-the-ground relief to the many families in need during this period,” She said. 

Since the beginning of the New Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Jamaica, the Ministry has partnered with a number of corporate entities, boosting its relief response resources.

Minister Robinson added, “we have been leading out in the distribution of care packages to families in all parishes including St Catherine, which is currently under lock down.  I will say, however,  that our support to the Jamaican people goes far beyond just the COVID-19 emergency relief response, as we provide support to all members of society who may have a challenge.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has been providing income and food support to vulnerable persons, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities and individuals deemed as food poor. Through its network of 13 parish offices, packages are distributed house to house with the help of Social Security staff cadre of over 600 and volunteers including persons from Food for the Poor, The Jamaica Red Cross, Salvation Army, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and other Community and Faith Based Organizations.

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.