The Ministry of Labour and Social Security continued to provide support to the most vulnerable in society through the implementation of several programmes throughout the year.
PATH:
• $8.3 billion was allocated in the 2019/20 fiscal year for the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) to facilitate cash benefits.
• An allocation of $562 million is included in the Budget to support retention of the PATH back-to-school grant, which was first introduced in August 2018.
• A sum of $347 million, representing a seven per cent increase, was made available to facilitate expansion of the PATH School Feeding Programme to beneficiaries at the early childhood level.
• An additional $200 million was provided under the Examination Fees Assistance Programme to support payment for four more subjects for PATH students sitting Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
Increase in NIS and Support for Special Needs and Elderly
• The National Insurance Contribution Rate increased from five per cent to 5.5 per cent effective April 1, 2019.
• Eighty special needs children received assistive aids, such as specialised wheelchairs, hearing aids and walkers. This was done in partnership with the World Bank and the Japanese Embassy.
Labour Division:
• The ‘Labour Department and You’ islandwide roadshows continued to increase the visibility and awareness of the programmes and services of the Labour Division.
• An MoU was signed with The Mico University College to better disseminate labour market intelligence, increase career development and populate the Skills Bank with certified persons.
• An enhanced website and mobile application was launched to enable ease of access to the services offered by the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) as well as facilitate effective navigation of the website.
• More than 16,000 persons went on the Overseas Work Programme.
• National Minimum Wage Advisory Commission held public consultations across the island.
New Office Opened
• The Ministry opened a new office in Hanover.
The 4,000-square-foot facility, located at Bustamante Square in Lucea, was purchased at a cost of $92 million, with an additional $20 million spent to complete refurbishing works.