News Categories: Social Security

03 Feb
By: MLSS PR Unit 0

Relocation of the Ministry of Labour & Social Security’s National Insurance Scheme Customer Service Dept

labour ministry with coat of arms

Public Relations Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

 

 

Monday, February 1, 2021

 

Relocation of the Ministry of Labour & Social Security’s National Insurance Scheme Customer Service Dept

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is advising its valued customers that the Customer Service Department at 14 National Heroes Circle, Kingston 4 will be temporarily relocated to 18 Ripon Road, Kingston 5 effective Monday, February 8, 2021.

This is to facilitate the renovation of the Customer Service Area to enhance service delivery and customer experience.

To access our services please call 876-929-4805 or 876-920-4670.

We apologize for the inconveniences caused.

 

 

 

 

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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30 Apr
By: MLSS PR Unit 0

Ministry Receives Big Food Donation from Seprod Group

labour ministry with coat of arms

Public Relations Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

 

Thursday, April 30, 2020

 

 

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s care package distribution supplies have been boosted thanks to Seprod Group of Companies and the Seprod Foundation with a donation of food items valued at over $5 million.

 

During the handing over exercise held at the Ministry’s warehouse facility in Kingston last Wednesday (April 29, 2020), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Colette Roberts Risden, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government of Jamaica and the Ministry for the donation received.

“As you know the Ministry has been out there from day one. We started in Bull Bay by providing care packages to those in quarantine but, as time goes by and COVID continues we know the needs are expanding,” the Permanent Secretary said.

Mrs Risden further noted that the food supplies donated will go a far way in enabling the Ministry’s response to persons in need.

Chief Executive Officer at the Seprod Group of Companies, Mr Richard Pandohie, says that the Seprod Group and Seprod Foundation is pleased to partner with the Government as the Ministry of Labour and Social Security does the Nation’s business of feeding Jamaica’s most vulnerable citizens.

 “We applaud the work of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and we want as good corporate citizens to be here for the Jamaican people as we go through this most difficult time,” he said.

Mr Pandohie added, “This is a collective effort and we all have to come together, we see the government doing the care programme but as private sector companies, we also have to step up”.

Milk, flour, cooking oil, cornmeal, and sardine are just a few among the list of items handed over by the Seprod Group of Companies.

As at April 28, approximate 8, 500 families have benefitted from the Ministry’s care distribution since the coronavirus outbreak in Jamaica. Packages are distributed house to house using our 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.

 

In observance of social distancing, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Colette Roberts Risden (right) extends symbolic gesture of gratitude to Seprod Group CEO, Mr Richard Pandohie (left) at the hand over exercise held on Wednesday, April 29, at the Ministry’s warehouse facility in Kingston.

 

 

Food items valued at over $5 million donated by Seprod Group to Ministry of Labour and Social Security being unloaded at the Ministry’s warehouse facility in Kingston on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

 

 

Seprod Group CEO, Mr Richard Pandohie (2nd left) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Colette Roberts Risden (2nd right) along with Chief Technical Director for Social Security, Mrs Audrey Deer Williams (1st Right) and Director of Social Security in the Ministry, Miss Suzette Morris (1st Left) shared a moment at the hand over exercise held on Wednesday, April 29, at the Ministry’s warehouse facility in Kingston.

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.

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19 Mar
By: MLSS PR Unit 0

Ministry of Labour and Social Security provides support to families of quarantined communities

labour ministry with coat of arms

Public Relations Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

 

Ministry of Labour and Social Security provides support to families of quarantined communities

 

KINGSTON, Jamaica. March 18, 2020. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security completed its third day of distributing welfare package to the families in the quarantined communities of 7 Miles Bull Bay.

The Ministry began its relief effort on Saturday, March 14, 2020. To date, a total of 900 welfare packages containing basic food supplies, toiletries and personal care items have been distributed to residents in the restricted areas. The Jamaica Red Cross has been assisting the Ministry with the packaging of supplies.

The Ministry has been working closely with Food for the Poor Jamaica, who made a large donation of relief items. Members of the Private Sector Organization (PSOJ) have also made donations to assist the Ministry to respond to the needs of the families.

In an official media briefing held at Jamaica House last Wednesday, Mrs. Colette Roberts Risden, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security disclosed that there are some challenges on the ground, “we do have a number families who want to abuse the system and want to get multiple packages of food,” she said.

Mrs. Risden further added, “we do have enough and the team will be going out tomorrow (March 19) again to continue distribution to any family who did not receive and to also go back to the first set of families who received on Saturday.”

The Ministry of Labour and Social continues to work closely with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and other stakeholders in providing relief to the restricted communities throughout the period of quarantine.

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.

 

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Advisory from the Ministry 18 Oct
By: MLSS PR Unit 0

Advisory: The National Council for Senior Citizens telephone lines are currently down

labour ministry with coat of arms

 

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484 / Fax: (876) 948-2831

Advisory from the ministry

 

Thursday, October 17, 2019

 

The National Council for Senior Citizens telephone lines are currently down

The National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), is advising the public that the telephone lines at their
main office located at 11 West Kings House Road Kingston 10 is currently down.  

If you wish to contact the offices of NCSC, you can reach customer service at 876-475-1278, 876-475-1185
or 876-506-3233 email ncsc@mlss.gov.jm.

The National Council for Senior Citizens sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience this telephone service
outage may have caused and thanks the public for their patience and kind support as they work shifty to
have the issue addressed.

-End-

 

 

 

 

 

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

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01 Apr
01 Apr
By: MLSS PR Unit 0

New Work Permit Fees

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.

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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

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01 Apr
By: MLSS PR Unit 0

Farm work applicants are not being rejected because of soft hands

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-)

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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

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28 Mar
By: MLSS PR Unit 0

Implementation of Disabilities Act a priority for 2019/20 – Social Security Ministry

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

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22 Mar
By: MLSS PR Unit 0

Labour Minister urges job seekers to always check legitimacy of employment offerings

Labour Minister Shahine Robinson has appealed to persons seeking jobs to always carry out checks to ensure the information they have about the potential employer or agent, is legitimate.

This in the wake of reports that at least 2 women have gone missing, after traveling to St. James on separate occasions for a job interview at a hotel, that was later determined to be non-existent.

It also follows the fake recruitment message circulated on social media, that resulted in hundreds of young people going to the Jamaica Defence Force Headquarters in Kingston, to apply for participation in a programme.

Mrs. Robinson expressed grave concern for the persons who have been reported missing.

She again urged job seekers, to heed the warning to always be vigilant, and be wary of employment scams.

Mrs. Robinson reiterated that job seekers should check with the Labour Ministry, to confirm that the employment entity is licensed.

Citing the fake JDF recruitment message, Mrs. Robinson encouraged persons to, where possible, contact the entity to confirm reports of job opportunities.

 

Source: IrieFM.net

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21 Mar
By: MLSS PR Unit 0

JICA Senior Volunteer visits with the Minister of Labour and Social Security

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

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