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Public Relations Unit

1F North Street, Kingston

Tel: (876) 967-5484

Fax: (876) 948-2831

Friday, November 12, 2021

More Jamaicans are Embracing Flexible Work

Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Zavia Mayne said that there is a paradigm shift in the mindset of employees in Jamaica. According to Minister Mayne, more and more Jamaicans are of the view that Flexible Work Arrangements increases their ability to be more productive, provides a greater balance between work and personal responsibilities, while offering opportunities for them to complete tasks at their own convenience.

Minister Mayne said this paradigm shift was reflected in a Jamaica Productivity Centre survey that was conducted recently and is critical to the country’s growth and development. He said if Jamaica is to remain globally competitive, then it will require a change in approach and mindset by all the stakeholders from the various disciplines and industries.

He also disclosed that the Government, through the Jamaica Productivity Centre is developing a Policy Framework, to heighten productivity awareness among schools and organizations, as the global market place becomes more competitive. Minister Mayne explained that this productivity awareness campaign, will be broad-based across individuals, enterprises and the national levels.

Minister Mayne also pointed out that the impact of the pandemic has been devastating on the labour market. However, the Ministry through the JPC is taking steps to ensure that the current and

future labour force, will be equipped with the skills needed to be competitive, innovative and productive.

In this regard, he said the Jamaica Productivity Centre will be embarking on a number of initiatives to broaden Productivity awareness in Jamaica. These include:

• the launch of Productivity Clubs and competitions at the Primary, Secondary and tertiary levels;
• the development of an App to support mental wellness among employees:
• development of a comprehensive waste management system
• facilitating Productivity in the Curriculum of Skills Development and
• Strengthening of partnerships among MIND, HEART TRUST/NSTA, The Hugh Lawson Shearer Labour Studies Institute and the University of the West Indies Department of Economics.

Minister Mayne was speaking at the Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) Quarterly Forum on the Theme: ‘Productivity, Covid-19 and Human Capital Development’ in Kingston on Thursday.

Panellists and presenters at the Jamaica Productivity Centres’ Productivity Forum paused for our lenses. Mrs. Novelette Denton Prince, Managing Director (Acting) of the HEART/NSTA Trust (Back l), Mrs. Tamar Nelson, Chief Technical Director, Jamaica Productivity Centre (Back c), Dr. Tamika Benjamin, National Mathematics Coordinator/Tertiary Support Officer at the Ministry of Education Youth and Information, (Back r), Mr. Vando Palmer, Director of Public Relations and Communications, MLSS (l), Mrs. LaSonja Harrison, President Elect, Jamaica Teachers’ Association (1st l), Mr. Dervan Malcolm, Moderator (c), Ms. Brittany Johnson, Research Officer, Technical Assistance Services Unit, Jamaica Productivity Centre (1st r) and Mr. Dominic Summers, President, iCreate Institute (r).

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

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Mayne wants more Persons with Disabilities employed in Jamaica

State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Zavia Mayne is calling on employers, to hire more persons with disabilities (PWDs), because they have the ability to perform their duties as good as able-bodied workers.

“Hiring persons with disabilities enhances an organization’s image in the general community and they have the ability to boost staff morale,” Mayne explained.

Minister Mayne who has special responsibility for legislative reform in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, said that, he recognizes an increasing degree of hesitancy by employers to employ PWDs. However, points out that research has shown that once they are in the right job, they will be able to perform as good as other able-bodied employees.

He said that the government is taking the necessary steps to reduce discrimination against PWDs and is committed to developing an inclusive society in keeping with Jamaica’s Vision 2030.

According to Minister Mayne, “There are many Persons with Disabilities who want to be productive members of society, providing for themselves, while at the same time giving back to society like everybody else”.

Mayne was the keynote speaker at the opening of Red Stripe’s newly renovated J$134M multi-purpose employee facility on Spanish town Road in Kingston on Wednesday.

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

Monday, August 9, 2021

Samuda Condemns Violent Attack on Farm Worker

Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda is condemning the recent violent attack on a Jamaican farm worker in Canada.

Minister Samuda said the attack has come as a surprise, especially as the Ministry is intensifying efforts to grow the programme, which provides temporary employment to over 10,000 Jamaicans annually in Canada.

The Labour and Social Security Minister said the Ministry has reached out to both parties to provide the requisite support.

Minister Samuda is urging farm workers not to use violence to settle disagreements, but to instead utilize all available dispute resolution channels including the Jamaica Liaison Service.

The Jamaica Liaison Service is an arm of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security based in Canada that sees to the welfare and safety of Jamaican farm workers in that country.

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

Monday, August 9, 2021

Samuda Expresses Shock of Violent Attack on Farm Worker

Labour and Social Security Minister, Karl Samuda is expressing shock, regret and condemnation of a violent attack on a Jamaican farm worker in Canada.

According to Minister Samuda, the alleged attack on the Jamaican farm worker has come as a big surprise, at a time when the Ministry is intensifying efforts to capitalize on every opportunity to increase the numbers annually.

Minister Samuda said the Ministry has reached out to both parties to provide the requisite support.

He is also appealing to all farm workers not to use violence as a mean of settling disputes, but instead should utilize all the available channels including the Jamaican Liaison Services provided to each farm worker by the Ministry.

He said while he is shocked to hear of the incident, it must be condemned in the strongest terms.

The Labour and Social Security Minister is also warning that violent acts will not be tolerated by the Ministry in any of its operations locally or overseas.

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

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Samuda Condemns Violence against Senior Citizens

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Karl Samuda is condemning the recent spate of violent attacks on senior citizens as an act of cowardice and insanity.

In the past week, the gruesome murder of 82-year old Dorris Gordon is but one of the reported incidents of violence against older persons recently.

According to Minister Samuda, at a time when senior citizens are most vulnerable and extremely concerned about their health and safety during this COVID-19 pandemic, the abuse being meted out to them must be condemned in the strongest terms. He said these brutal attacks on our senior citizens reflect a degree of senselessness in our society and question our commitment to the sanctity of life.

“Therefore, I call on my fellow Jamaicans to care for and protect senior citizens, who have toiled to build our nation and have a right, as all citizens of Jamaica, to safety and security. It is our duty.  We must enhance the development of a gentle and caring society,” Minister Samuda said.

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

Saturday, July 31, 2021

Fake News: Labour & Social Security Ministry Announces List of Persons To Receive Grants

The Ministry of Labour & Social Security, is dismissing as ‘Fake News’ a Social Media posting in circulation suggesting that there is a list of names of persons announced by the Ministry, who will receive ‘Government Grants’, valued at JA$150,000 to persons who have worked during the period 2010 to 2021.

There is no truth to this information. It is an internet scam.

Screenshot images with associated website links, bearing the Ministry’s branding and the details surround such grants, being propagated, is also false.

Members of the public are being asked to ignore any such communication received electronically or otherwise and to desist from sharing this information. The Ministry is encouraging persons to check and verify that any  information about its services is authentic before taking any action.

To learn more about eligibility or to apply for any of the grants offered under the Ministry of Labour & Social Security’s Social Programmes, contact the Public Relations Unit: (876) 967-5484, or send an email to: prunit@mlss.gov.jm or visit our website: www.mlss.gov.jm

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 15, 2021

Samuda pledges to Grow Overseas Employment Programme

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Karl Samuda has pledged to grow the Overseas Employment Programme to 30,000 participants over the next four years.

Each year, approximately 7,000 Jamaicans participate in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security led programme on H-2A (Agricultural) and H-2B (Hospitality) visas. Another 6,000 Jamaicans are placed in the US by private employment agencies.

“We recognize the transformative power of this programme in the lives of participants, their families and their communities. So, we want to aggressively grow the programme from 13,000 to 30,000 participants over the next four years. However, as we do so, we must ensure that our workers have the necessary protections,” said Minister Samuda.

Minister Samuda met with officials from the Department of State, the Department of Labour and the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C on Wednesday, July 14 and discussed the expansion of the programme, as well as the provision of Health Insurance for H-2A Agricultural workers.

“The meetings have been successful and we will continue to dialogue with the US government. They are committed to this mutually beneficial programme and importantly, they have agreed to review some of the regulations especially as they relate to the provision of Insurance for our workers,” Minister Samuda concluded.

Minister Samuda also met with Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks, as well as Jamaicans in the diaspora, who have committed to playing their part to facilitating the expansion of the programme.

Over the next two days, Minister Samuda will meet with potential employers in Washington, D.C and Miami, Florida.

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

Monday, July 12, 2021

Samuda to Tour US Farms

Minister of Labour & Social Security, the Honourable Karl Samuda left the island on Monday, July 12, 2021 for a tour of Farms in the United States where Jamaican Farmworkers are employed.

Minister Samuda will use the visit to meet with current and prospective employers to promote the Overseas Employment Programme, as he seeks to strengthen the existing relationships and create new opportunities for expansion and improvement of the Programme. Minister Samuda will also meet with officials from the US Government. The last ministerial visit of this nature was in August 2018.

Despite the setbacks associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic, approximately 4,500 workers travelled on the Programme to the United States in 2020. Since January this year, 2,928 Jamaican Farmworkers have left the island for temporary employment on farms in the United States.

Minister Samuda is scheduled to return to the island on July 17, 2021.

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

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Samuda Appeals for World Leaders to Make Vaccines More Readily Available

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Karl Samuda, is appealing to World Leaders, to make vaccines more readily available, so that developing countries can recover faster from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Limited access to vaccines by developing countries such as Jamaica and others in the Caribbean, means that the pace of our economic recovery will be slower and the negative impact on our people will continue,” Samuda explained.

“Poorer countries like Jamaica are forced to use harsh non-vaccine measures to contain the spread of the virus. I am therefore calling on the World Leaders to work diligently to assist developing countries to improve access to vaccines,” Samuda said while speaking at the 109th session of the International Labour Organization Conference in Geneva today.

Minister Samuda said that, “despite the socio-economic challenges brought about by the pandemic, the government has been doing its part to assist business operators and the most vulnerable in the society to recover from the pandemic.”

“The government provided tax incentives to mitigate against the fallout, particularly to the micro, small and medium size entities, resulting in the return of $1 Billion to employers and $10 Billion was spent on implementing a social economic programme called the CARE programme,” Samuda added.

The Minister also stated that the government has been working on initiatives with the ILO’s Regional Office in Trinidad & Tobago to provide social protection and decent work for the people of Jamaica.

“Increase productivity will translate into higher profit for firms, higher wages for labour, higher revenue for government and lower cost for consumers.”

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

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Samuda Makes Plea for Productivity to be Prioritized across all Sectors

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Karl Samuda is making an impassioned plea for all Jamaicans to take productivity seriously, so that the country can become more efficient and have sustainable growth and development.

“Productivity is everybody’s business, therefore, we should all seek to prioritize productivity across all sectors, industries, firms and in our daily lives.”

“At the core of productivity is efficiency, and the more efficient we are with our labour, investments and natural resources, the more Jamaica can produce,” Samuda said during the World Productivity Day forum hosted by the Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) under theme “National Pathway toward Resilient and Sustainable Productivity Improvement.”

His message was delivered by Collin Turner, Senior Director of Technical Assistance Service Unit at the JPC.

“We are at a pivotal point where we must actively seek to implement transformative initiatives to have long lasting productivity gains. The JPC will be exploring how to automate agro-processing to improve the quantity and quality of our agricultural products.”

He said that “agro-processing can improve agricultural productivity by reducing post-harvest losses, diversifying the rural economy, improving food security, providing employment opportunities among other things.”

Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr Wayne Henry agrees with Minister Samuda and said that all is set to benefit if there is an increase in productivity in Jamaica.

“Increase productivity will translate into higher profit for firms, higher wages for labour, higher revenue for government and lower cost for consumers.”

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
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