Recent news

Latest items of recent news relevant to Jamaica as reported in our fortnightly newswire ‘Dernières nouvelles’.

Jamaica: Employer’s annual return (S02) due 2nd April 2024

Employers must register online and file the return electronically using the Tax Agency’s tax portal at www …

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Jamaica: Substantial increase to state pensions

The old age and retirement pensions have just been increased by between 23% to 76% …

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Jamaica: Reform of working time nears approval

A parliamentary committee is approaching agreement on a working time law that has been under consideration since 2001 …

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Jamaica: Government to increase minimum wage by 44% from June 2023

On 1st June 2023, the national gross minimum wage will increase from J$9,000 (US$59 …

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Jamaica: Weekly state pensions scale to be increased from April 2023

With effect from 1st April 2023, the flat rate for the minimum weekly pension will be increased by 76 …

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Jamaica: New laws ensure international tax standards

Two new laws ensure international tax standards – especially in Special Economic Zones …

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Jamaica: National minimum wage increasing to $9,000 a week

With effect from 1st April 2022, the national minimum wage will increase by 28 …

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Jamaica: Companies urged to get sensitised on new Data Protection Act

The deadline is fast approaching for implementation of the Data Protection Act …

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Jamaica: Mandatory work-from-home order for private sector would be self defeating – JEF

The Jamaican Employers’ Federation (JEF) has complained to the government that its new order for employees to work from home cannot apply to 74% of private sector employees …

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Jamaica: What happens when a public holiday falls on a weekend?

This year, two national holidays fall on a Saturday and therefore the question arises whether they should be moved to a weekday …

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Jamaica: National minimum wage consultations finalised

The National Minimum Wage Advisory Commission has ended its consultations and will issue its proposals for parliamentary approval early next year …

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Jamaica: Youth unemployment rate declined

Latest figures from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica indicated that over the year to April 2019, total youth unemployment (those aged under 24) decreased by 6 …

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Jamaica: National Insurance Scheme inspectors are now undertaking an intensive sweep of employers

In a recent speech, the Minister of Labour and Social Security has warned that National Insurance Scheme inspectors are now undertaking an intensive sweep of employers and shall be seeking to impose maximum penalties on those not operating the schemes fairly and honestly …

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Jamaica: Visa-free scheme to be extended for Russian nationals

The Jamaican government is close to signing an agreement with the Russian government that would establish a visa-free arrangement for up to 90 days on the island. This is mainly geared to tourism than business, but is significant because Russia remains relatively friendless in the world and the last time Russia had any presence in the Caribbean was back in 1963 – with Cuba.

Jamaica: Increased minimum wage takes effect August 1

With effect from the 1st of August 2018, the national minimum wage will increase by 12 …

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