Labour Day rebuilding drive leads PBCJ May 22 national news roundup

Jamaica’s Labour Day 2026 activities will be centred on restoring community spaces damaged by Hurricane Melissa, with Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister Olivia Grange urging Jamaicans to volunteer across the island. The work will target sports facilities, early childhood institutions and other community assets, with national projects planned for Sabina Park and the Lewis Town Early Childhood Institution in St. Elizabeth. A National Labour Day concert at Emancipation Park is also planned to close the observance.

On the economy, Planning Institute of Jamaica Director General Dr. Wayne Henry said higher global oil prices linked to conflict in the Middle East are adding pressure to trade, inflation and output. The PIOJ projected a 3% to 4% contraction for April to June 2025, while also noting that Jamaica is not considered to be in recession despite two consecutive periods of negative growth after Hurricane Melissa.

Labour Minister Pearnel Charles said 15,169 Jamaicans were placed in overseas jobs in Canada and the United States in 2025, up by 944 from the previous year. He announced an automated call and text system, repairs to the East Street processing facility and a new St. James outpost. Medical assessments for farm workers have been paused pending a review, while US-bound workers will get access to optional insurance coverage. Sixty scholarships will also be awarded to children of seasonal farm workers.

Tourism transport operators are seeking emergency help from the Tourism Enhancement Fund, saying hotel closures, debt pressures and competition from ride-sharing services have left about 5,000 contract carriage drivers under strain. They say nearly 5,000 hotel rooms remain closed islandwide, including about 3,000 in Montego Bay.

Regionally, Grenadian groups are continuing fundraising for Cuba through the Grenada for Cuba campaign, while Barbados has launched a pollination services pilot project to strengthen food production. Antigua and Barbuda is also moving to tighten health screening at ports of entry amid international disease concerns.

In sport, Sabina Park will receive Labour Day support ahead of cricket fixtures, including Caribbean Premier League T20 matches. Jamaica’s Under-17 Reggae Boyz have been drawn with Italy, Côte d’Ivoire and Uzbekistan for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, scheduled for November 19 to December 13.