Archives: Our Team

Honourable Pearnel Charles, Jr., MP, JP was appointed Minister of Labour and Social Security on May 22, 2023. Prior to that, he was Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. He is also a two-time Member of Parliament, currently serving in South East Clarendon.

Minister Charles Jr is a former Government Senator and Member of Cabinet where he served as Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change. Prior to this appointment, he served as Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for Water, Housing, and Infrastructure, preceded by his tenure as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade with responsibility for Diaspora Affairs and the National Council for Coastal Zone Management, among other areas.

Minister Charles Jr also served as Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, where he had portfolio duties for the Department of Correctional Services, the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force, and special projects within the national security portfolio.

Pearnel Charles Jr. is an Attorney-at-Law qualified to practice law in Jamaica and the United States of America. Throughout his professional career, he served with distinction as a Judicial Clerk, Senior Clerk of Court, Crown Counsel at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and as the Lead Counsel and Managing Attorney of The Law Offices of Pearnel P. Charles Jr.

The Minister is a former President of the Law Society and a former Guild President of the University of West Indies where he earned two honours degrees; a Bachelor of Science (double major in Biochemistry and Zoology) and a Bachelor of Laws. Additionally, he holds a Master of Laws degree from The George Washington University Law School in Washington D.C. where he was awarded the Thomas Buergenthal Scholarship for academic performance.

Pearnel Charles Jr. was born with a passion for community service and, as a youth advocate, he participates in community activities geared towards uplifting underserved communities and protecting the most vulnerable. He also continues to serve as the Chairman of the UNESCO Youth Advisory Council.

Dr. the Honourable Norman Dunn was first appointed as Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) in September 2020 and served in that capacity until May 2023. He is currently the Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

He first entered representational politics in November 2016 as the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) standard-bearer for South East St. Mary and was elected Member of Parliament (MP) after successfully contesting the October 2017 by-election.

His re-election in September 2020 follows a landslide victory at the polls by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) where he secured the largest poll margin in the history of South East St. Mary to again serve as Member of Parliament.

Now in his second consecutive term as a Member of Parliament and Minister of State, Dr. Dunn continues to leverage his experiences, technical skills and competencies, to advance national development.

Dr. Dunn a native of St Mary was born in Annotto Bay and completed his secondary education at Dinthill Technical High School. Subsequently, he pursued his higher education at the University of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree. Later, he expanded his academic horizons at the University of the West Indies Mona by attaining a

Bachelor of Science Degree in Management, Economics and Accounting, Master of Science Degree in International Business and a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree.

A pharmacist by profession with over 25 years’ of experience, he is the proud owner of pharmacies across Jamaica. He also served in numerous capacities as Chairman of the Pharmacy Council of Jamaica, Vice Chairman of South East Regional Health Authority, Vice Chairman of Kingston Public Hospital, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica, Vice President of the Jamaica Association of Private Pharmacy Owners, First Vice President of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists and Former board member of Health Corporation of Jamaica

Dr. Dunn is also the recipient of the Badge of Honour for meritorious service to the profession of pharmacy, Justice of the Peace for the parish of St. Andrew and a former JDF Army Reserve.

Much of Dr Dunn’s early upbringing contributed significantly to his notable business acumen and political achievements. At an early age, he quickly learnt to manage resources having sold in the market with his mother. This hands-on exposure allowed him to develop essential skills in handling resources effectively. Moreover, growing up in a diverse community, Dr Dunn learned to interact and engage with individuals from various backgrounds, fostering his ability to communicate and connect with people from all walks of life. These qualities have greatly contributed to his success in the political realm, where the ability to connect with diverse constituents and understand their perspectives is of utmost importance.

About Me

Mrs. Tamar Nelson is Chief Technical Director (Acting) of the Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) which is a department of the Ministry of Labour & Social Security. Mrs. Nelson holds a MSc in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Rochester Institute in New York, completing a thesis on using simulation to improve Diagnostic Imaging Process within Healthcare. She also holds a BSc in Industrial Engineering from the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Sensei (CLSSS), as well as a Certified Energy Manager (CEM).

With over 20 years experience working as a business process/improvement consultant, she has developed and delivered a number of improvement interventions and training programs in the area of productivity improvement based on LEAN/Six Sigma principles both locally and internationally. She brings to the team a number of years of experience from the Bauxite Sector which includes Logistics, Engineering, Business Process Analysis, Inventory Control, Strategic Planning and Warehouse Management to name a few. Her training also includes a 2 months program, Practical Corporate Management for Productivity Improvement, hosted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Japan.

Mrs. Dione Jennings has served the Public Sector for over twenty (20) years. She previously held positions at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture as well as the Ministry of Local Government.