Labour Ministry names National Heroes Circle NIS building for Lynden Newland

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has formally named its building at 14 National Heroes Circle in Kingston in honour of the late Lynden Gladstone Newland, the former Minister of Labour and National Insurance widely credited with helping to build Jamaica’s National Insurance Scheme.

The ceremony formed part of Workers’ Week 2026 and the Government’s Jamaica Legacy Project, which seeks to preserve the contributions of Jamaicans who helped shape national life. A second Labour Ministry building at 1F North Street was also scheduled to be named in honour of former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Opposition Leader Mark Golding, Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr., Culture Minister Olivia Grange, Minister of State Donovan Williams, senior public officers, trade union representatives and members of the Newland family attended the dedication.

Acting Permanent Secretary Dionne Jennings said Newland’s service helped strengthen Jamaica’s labour administration and social security framework. She noted that he served as Minister of Labour and National Insurance from 1962 to 1972 and described him as the father of the National Insurance Scheme.

Grange said Newland’s work gave Jamaican workers a stronger measure of protection beyond their working years, while Charles said the ceremony was an act of national remembrance, not merely a formal renaming. He said Newland’s contribution continues to support pensioners, families and vulnerable workers.

Holness said the ministry occupies an important place in national life because it serves workers, pensioners, employers, trade unions, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable citizens. He said Newland belonged to the generation that had to build the institutions of independent Jamaica.

The Prime Minister also said the building, which is more than 50 years old, may eventually be replaced as part of a broader vision for National Heroes Circle. He said any future structure should still carry the spirit of Newland’s legacy.

Family representative Stephen Newland thanked the Government and ministry staff, saying the honour would carry meaning for future generations of the Newland family. Audrey Deer-Williams, Chief Technical Director for Social Security, said the NIS now pays approximately 140,000 pensions each month.