Labour Administration Convention, 1978 (No. 150) - Jamaica (Ratification: 1984)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of the ratified Conventions on labour administration and inspection, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 81 (labour inspection) and 150 (labour administration) together.

Labour inspection: Convention No. 81

Article 6 of the Convention. Status and conditions of service of the inspection staff. In reply to the Committee’s previous request, the Government indicates that: (i) by way of Cabinet decision, a new body will be created to administer the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill, once approved; (ii) this body will be appropriately staffed with an increased number of OSH officers and support staff; (iii) a comprehensive organizational development will be conducted in order to inform the staffing arrangements for the creation of the new OSH body; (iv) the OSH Bill will include transitional provisions to facilitate the seamless incorporation of OSH officers into the new statutory body, without loss of benefits; (iv) the OSH Bill will ensure stability of employment of inspection staff; and (v) the compensation of OSH officers will be commensurate to categories of public officers that have similar roles and responsibilities in the public service. The Committee requests the Government to pursue its efforts in the adoption of the OSH Bill and to ensure that it contains provisions giving effect to Article 6 of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in this respect. The Committee once again requests the Government toprovide information on the measures adopted in order to guarantee that the conditions of service of labour inspectors, including their levels of remuneration and tenure of employment, are similar to those of other public officials with responsibilities of a similar category and complexity.

Article 14. Notification of cases of occupational diseases. In reply to the Committee’s previous request, the Government indicates that the labour inspectorate and officers of the National Insurance Scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security have periodically conducted sensitization activities with employers and workers to encourage them to report occupational diseases and apply for Employee Injury Benefit Claims, as set out in the schedule of the National Insurance (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations, 1970. In addition, a new information management system has been implemented for the National Insurance Scheme with a module that is used to capture reported cases of occupational diseases and process claims by the Employment Injury Department. The Government adds that there were no cases of occupational diseases reported to the Ministry for the period 2021–2023. Noting once again that no cases of occupational diseases have been reported for several years, the Committee request the Government to continue to provide information on the measures adopted in order to ensure that cases of occupational diseases are reported to the labour inspectorate, including information on the new management system and its impact in the application of Article 14.

Articles 20 and 21. Annual report on the work of the inspection services. The Committee notes once again that no annual inspection report has been received by the Office and that the last labour inspection report available on the website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is the one for 2017–2018. The Committee further notes that the Government’s report contains information concerning the items listed in Article 21(a)–(g) of the Convention. The Committee also notes that the Statistical Bulletin of the MLSS, which is published annually, contains information on the number of factories registered and the number of persons employed therein, the number of inspections conducted, and the number of occupational accidents reported. The Committee requests the Government to pursue its efforts for the preparation, publication and transmission to the ILO of the annual labour inspection report, as required by Article 20, and containing the information on all subjects covered by Article 21.

Labour a dministration : Convention No. 150

Article 5 of the Convention. Consultation, cooperation and negotiation between the public authorities and employers’ and workers’ organizations. In reply to the Committee’s previous request, the Government refers to the Minimum Wage Commission (MWC), which includes a member from the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions and from the Jamaica Employers Federation. The MWC conducts regional consultations with stakeholders in relation to the minimum wage adjustment. Discussions on this topic also occur in the Labour Advisory Council. While taking note of this information, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on other existingarrangements for consultations, cooperation and negotiations between public authorities and employers’ and workers’ organizations, for example on areas concerning occupational safety and health, labour relations, and social security. The Committee requests the Government to provide examples of measures taken as a result of the effective consultation with the social partners.

Article 10. Number, status, conditions of service and training of the staff of the labour administration system. In reply to the Committee’s previous request, the Government indicates that there are currently 114 persons employed in the labour administration system in Jamaica, 86 with a permanent contract and 28 temporarily employed. The Government indicates that the Industrial Relations Unit conducted 7 training sessions during the reporting period, including on topics related to labour inspection techniques, labour laws and labour inspections in relation to child labour and trafficking. An average of 30 officers are trained during each session. The Committee takes note of this information which addresses its previous request.

Application in practice. The Committee takes notes of the Government’s reference to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security statistical bulletin published annually and of the detailed information on the work of the Ministry contained therein.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the effect given to Article 6(2)(a) and (b) of the Convention concerning the progress made in relation to the implementation of the national employment policy.

Article 5. Consultation, cooperation and negotiation between the public authorities and employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee recalls that, in its 2013 direct request under the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), it noted the Government’s indication that Worker and Employer representatives are often consulted on policies, best solutions and practices concerning issues affecting their members. The Committee requests the Government to describe the current arrangements for the consultation, cooperation and negotiations between the public authorities and employers’ and workers’ organizations, including in such areas as employment policy, occupational safety and health, labour relations, social security and minimum wage legislation. Please provide examples of measures that were taken as a result of the effective consultation with the social partners.

Article 10. Number, status, conditions of service and training of the staff of the labour administration system. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the number of staff employed within the different services of the labour administration system, as well as on their status and conditions of service. Please also provide information on the training provided to labour administration staff (including content, frequency and number of participants).

Application in practice. The Committee welcomes the detailed information in the 2012 statistical bulletin of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security provided by the Government with its report. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide extracts of reports or other periodic information on the activities of the principal labour administration services.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

The Committee notes the Government’s report containing partial replies to its previous comments.

Article 6(2)(a) and (b) of the Convention.  The Committee had previously asked the Government to provide further information on the implementation of the 11-point plan for a “positive transformation” of labour administration and to indicate how effect was given to Article 6(2)(a) of the Convention concerning the functions of the labour administration system in the area of the national employment policy. The Committee takes due note of the information concerning mostly training activities to strengthen key roles and competencies within the Ministry of Labour and, more generally, to promote employment and self-sufficiency, especially among the youth. The Committee also notes that, among the achievements reached under the 11-point programme, is the ratification of all the fundamental Conventions, the establishment of a productivity centre through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the restructuring of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal and the dissemination of information on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, to which Jamaica acceded in January 2005.

The Committee also notes, however, that point (1) on measures to reposition the Ministry to a higher profile among the Government’s planning and economic development agencies is, according to the Government, yet to be accomplished. It also observes that there is no specific information on the implementation of point (5) concerning the institutionalization of the Tripartite Labour Advisory Commission expected to play a more meaningful role in labour administration. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on progress made in the implementation of the 11-point plan, especially with regard to any measures taken or envisaged to implement points (1) and (5), and to provide copies of any relevant documents.

The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain information in reply to the Committee’s request on the progress achieved in the field of labour market information following the setting up in 2002 of an IT labour market information system, the establishment of the Labour Market Information Technical Advisory Committee responsible for providing technical advice to the Tripartite Labour Market and Labour Exchange Advisory Commission and the initiation of the Caribbean Labour Market Information System (CLMIS project) by the ILO in cooperation with the United States Department of Labor. The Government also indicated in its previous report that, in that framework, the Manpower Unit would be primarily involved in the revision of the Jamaica Standard Occupational Classification and the creation of a Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Accordingly, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide detailed information on progress achieved in the field of labour market information.

Articles 6(2)(a) and (b), and 7. The Committee notes that, according to the Government, the “Skills 2000” programme was initially addressed to persons on the Food Stamp Programme (now PATH) but, due to the overwhelming interest of the public, it had to be expanded and later handed over to the HEART Trust NTA (National Training Agency). The Committee notes that the programme has since expired and has been replaced by the Steps to Work programme run by the PATH Programme to help working-age members to become self-sufficient through four channels: job placement; remedial learning; entrepreneurship; and skills development. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the implementation and results of the Steps to Work programme and explain in particular how effect is given through this programme to Articles 6(2)(a) and (b), and 7 of the Convention.

Part IV of the report form. Noting that, in 2004, the Government was able to provide the ILO with the 2003 Statistical Bulletin of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, which contained detailed information as to the functioning of the labour administration system, including data on the labour market, the Committee would be grateful to receive such reports relating to the period covered by the next Government’s report, in order to better assess the level of application of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and its partial replies to its previous comments. It also notes the annual Statistical Bulletin (2003) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. It observes that the Government’s report largely reiterates information which had already been provided and wishes to emphasize that the successive reports required under article 22 of the Constitution should preferably contain information on any changes that have occurred in the application of the Convention during the reporting period, as well as replies to the Committee’s comments.

Article 6, paragraph 2(a) and (b), of the Convention. The Government indicates in its report that no national employment policy has yet been defined, but that discussions have been held between the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security on this matter. The Committee notes with interest the information contained in the Government’s report relating to the setting up in 2002 of an IT labour market information system and the establishment of the Labour Market Information Technical Advisory Committee, which is responsible for providing technical advice to the Tripartite Labour Market and Labour Exchange Advisory Commission. Moreover, the Government highlights the Caribbean Labour Market Information System (CLMIS project), which has been initiated by the ILO in cooperation with the United States Department of Labor, and indicates that the Manpower Unit will be primarily involved in the revision of the Jamaica Standard Occupational Classification and the creation of a Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Moreover, according to recent information provided on the Government’s Internet site, the Tripartite Labour Advisory Commission met in November 2004 and has developed an 11-point plan for a "positive transformation" of labour administration, which strongly involves the social partners.

The Government is requested to provide detailed information on the implementation of the 11-point plan and copies of any related documents, as well as the progress achieved in the field of labour market information through the information system developed for this purpose, and to indicate how effect is given to Article 6, paragraph 2(a), of the Convention concerning the functions of the labour administration system in the area of the national employment policy.

Article 7. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the implementation and results of the "Skills 2000" programme, referred to in a previous report, which aimed to provide certain precarious categories of persons the opportunity to enter the labour market by increasing their income earning capacity, allowing them to engage in self-employment or to obtain remunerated employment. It would be grateful if the Government would also provide information on the categories of persons concerned by this programme.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and the information that it contains on the development of the labour administration system. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee requests the Government to provide extracts of any reports or other regular sources of information prepared by the main labour administration bodies cited in the report under Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention.

Noting the indication under Article 7 that the Labour Advisory Committee is currently revising the definition of the term "worker", the Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the outcome of the discussions on this issue and specify, where appropriate, the categories of workers envisaged in points (a) and (d) of this Article who may be covered by the new definition.

The Committee also requests the Government to provide data on the results of the programme "Skill 2000" referred to by the Government in successive reports and to provide, as it indicated that it would do in its report, pamphlets outlining other public assistance programmes.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which reads as follows:

The Committee notes with interest the detailed information provided by the Government in its report for the period ending 1 September 1997 and hopes that the Government will continue to provide such comprehensive reports in future.

Article 4 of the Convention.  The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the system of labour administration in Jamaica consists of five governmental/statutory bodies: (i) Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Sport; (ii) Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture; (iii) Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Trust; (iv) Planning Institute of Jamaica; and (v) Statistical Institute of Jamaica. The Committee also notes the indication of the report that coordination of the functions and responsibilities of the system of labour administration are carried out through the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the Labour Advisory Committee, the Industrial Disputes Tribunal and the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission as well as information in respect of particular forms of such coordination. The Committee asks the Government to continue to supply information on the practical application of Article 4 of the Convention.

Article 5.  The Committee notes the indication of the report that the principles of tripartite consultation and cooperation are adhered to at all levels of the system of labour administration in that there is consultation on the implementation of national and international labour standards, done by way of written and oral communications and meetings. The Committee further notes that the National Planning Council (NPC), established in 1989, meets on a monthly basis and serves as an advisory body to the Government. As indicated in the report, comprising 22 members, the Council brings together the nation’s top policy- and decision-makers from the private sector and management, the trade unions, labour, Government and non-governmental organizations to contribute to the formulation of economic policies and programmes, to assess economic performance and to identify measures designed to achieve broad-based development and growth in productivity, employment and the national product. The NPC has the following major functions: (i) to consider important issues as they affect the process of economic development and to advise Government on matters relating to those issues; (ii) to assist Government in identifying key policy objectives and the interlinkages between sectors in the development of the National Five Year Plan; (iii) to help in the review of economic performance either at the macro or micro level and to recommend broad policies or specific programmes designed to ensure that rational objectives are achieved; and (iv) to act as a coordinating point where labour, the private sector and Government can meet to work towards the overall improvement in the standard of living of the nation as a whole. The Committee asks the Government to continue to supply information on the activities of the NPC.

Article 7.  The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether the system of labour administration also covers workers who are not, in law, employed persons, in respect of their conditions of work and working life. If not, please indicate whether the Government considers that national conditions require to meet the needs of the largest number of workers, the gradual extension of the functions of the labour administration system to include activities to cover them, and the measures taken to this end.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes with interest the detailed information provided by the Government in its report for the period ending 1 September 1997 and hopes that the Government will continue to provide such comprehensive reports in future.

Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the system of labour administration in Jamaica consists of five governmental/statutory bodies: (i) Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Sport; (ii) Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture; (iii) Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Trust; (iv) Planning Institute of Jamaica; and (v) Statistical Institute of Jamaica. The Committee also notes the indication of the report that coordination of the functions and responsibilities of the system of labour administration are carried out through the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the Labour Advisory Committee, the Industrial Disputes Tribunal and the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission as well as information in respect of particular forms of such coordination. The Committee asks the Government to continue to supply information on the practical application of Article 4 of the Convention.

Article 5. The Committee notes the indication of the report that the principles of tripartite consultation and cooperation are adhered to at all levels of the system of labour administration in that there is consultation on the implementation of national and international labour standards, done by way of written and oral communications and meetings. The Committee further notes that the National Planning Council (NPC), established in 1989, meets on a monthly basis and serves as an advisory body to the Government. As indicated in the report, comprising 22 members, the Council brings together the nation's top policy- and decision-makers from the private sector and management, the trade unions, labour, Government and non-governmental organizations to contribute to the formulation of economic policies and programmes, to assess economic performance and to identify measures designed to achieve broad-based development and growth in productivity, employment and the national product. The NPC has the following major functions: (i) to consider important issues as they affect the process of economic development and to advise Government on matters relating to those issues; (ii) to assist Government in identifying key policy objectives and the interlinkages between sectors in the development of the National Five Year Plan; (iii) to help in the review of economic performance either at the macro or micro level and to recommend broad policies or specific programmes designed to ensure that rational objectives are achieved; (iv) to act as a coordinating point where labour, the private sector and Government can meet to work towards the overall improvement in the standard of living of the nation as a whole. The Committee asks the Government to continue to supply information on the activities of the NPC.

Article 7. The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether the system of labour administration also covers workers who are not, in law, employed persons, in respect of their conditions of work and working life. If not, please indicate whether the Government considers that national conditions require to meet the needs of the largest number of workers, the gradual extension of the functions of the labour administration system to include activities to cover them, and the measures taken to this end.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee notes with interest the detailed information provided by the Government in its report for the period ending 1 September 1997 and hopes that the Government will continue to provide such comprehensive reports in future.

Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the system of labour administration in Jamaica consists of five governmental/statutory bodies: (i) Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Sport; (ii) Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture; (iii) Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Trust; (iv) Planning Institute of Jamaica; and (v) Statistical Institute of Jamaica. The Committee also notes the indication of the report that coordination of the functions and responsibilities of the system of labour administration are carried out through the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the Labour Advisory Committee, the Industrial Disputes Tribunal and the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission as well as information in respect of particular forms of such coordination. The Committee asks the Government to continue to supply information on the practical application of Article 4 of the Convention.

Article 5. The Committee notes the indication of the report that the principles of tripartite consultation and cooperation are adhered to at all levels of the system of labour administration in that there is consultation on the implementation of national and international labour standards, done by way of written and oral communications and meetings. The Committee further notes that the National Planning Council (NPC), established in 1989, meets on a monthly basis and serves as an advisory body to the Government. As indicated in the report, comprising 22 members, the Council brings together the nation's top policy- and decision- makers from the private sector and management, the trade unions, labour, Government and non-governmental organizations to contribute to the formulation of economic policies and programmes, to assess economic performance and to identify measures designed to achieve broad-based development and growth in productivity, employment and the national product. The NPC has the following major functions: (i) to consider important issues as they affect the process of economic development and to advise Government on matters relating to those issues; (ii) to assist Government in identifying key policy objectives and the interlinkages between sectors in the development of the National Five Year Plan; (iii) to help in the review of economic performance either at the macro or micro level and to recommend broad policies or specific programmes designed to ensure that rational objectives are achieved; (iv) to act as a coordinating point where labour, the private sector and Government can meet to work towards the overall improvement in the standard of living of the nation as a whole. The Committee asks the Government to continue to supply information on the activities of the NPC.

Article 7. The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether the system of labour administration also covers workers who are not, in law, employed persons, in respect of their conditions of work and working life. If not, please indicate whether the Government considers that national conditions require to meet the needs of the largest number of workers, the gradual extension of the functions of the labour administration system to include activities to cover them, and the measures taken to this end.