IRIE FM

Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith has called for reform and greater integration of Cuba in international economic systems.

This in response to the isolation caused by the blockade imposed by the United States.

Mrs. Johnson Smith was speaking at the 81st United Nations General Assembly Session, on rebuilding global multilateral cooperation during a period marked by deep geopolitical rivalries, humanitarian crises, and intensifying climate change.

The Foreign Affairs Minister stated that Jamaica is deeply concerned about the suffering of Cubans.

She added that international humanitarian law must be respected and civilians protected, amidst ongoing armed conflicts among countries across the world.

The Foreign Affairs Minister expressed that diplomacy must remain the first and most persistent instrument of resolving disputes.

A meeting has been scheduled for next month between the Education Ministry and the trade union representing ancillary staff to discuss salary concerns.

The Union of Technical Administrative and Supervisory Personnel (UTASP) said it hopes that the meeting will allow for a better understanding of how recent changes impact the workers.

This comes after workers at some primary schools in Region 3, which includes St. Ann and St. Catherine, reported that they have not been paid in about six weeks.

Union Officer Anthony Smith says the union is seeking to determine what may be contributing to the reported delays in payment.

The Advocates’ Association of Jamaica is contemplating taking legal action to have amendments made to the firearms legislation.

The update comes amid the withdrawal of service by attorneys from courts since Monday to highlight their concern that the law unfairly criminalises persons for having an imitation gun, among other things.

The Government has already indicated that the law will not be reviewed at this time.

Advocates President Tamika Harris expressed disappointment that the matter has not been brought before Parliament.

Ms. Harris said attorneys will continue to advocate for changes to the Firearms Act even after its current protest ends.

House Speaker Juliet Holness has referred to the Attorney General, the Crown Lands Bill from Opposition Leader Mark Golding.

The matter has become a contentious one, with Mr. Golding insisting that Mrs. Holness is blocking the tabling of the bill, and the speaker repeatedly refuting that claim.

Mrs. Holness noted that sections of the Bill had constitutional issues which were unresolved.

A revised Bill was submitted to Parliament on Saturday.

Mrs. Holness again addressed the matter at today’s sitting of the Lower House, explaining why it would not be tabled.

She said once the legal advice is received , she will decide the next steps.

Mr. Golding rose to respond, but was reminded about the standing orders.

Leader of Government Business Floyd Green also pointed out that a response to the speaker’s opening statement, is not allowed.

All the Opposition members rose from their seats, but sat down again after Green outlined the procedural rules.

Mr. Golding raised a point of order, and cited the standing order that guides the agenda for the house, but the speaker again cited the rules that give her power to regulate.

Leader of Opposition Business Phillip Paulwell then sought to intervene but the speaker re-emphasised her stance on the matter.

Trade Unionist Lambert Brown is pointing to the law to challenge any possible justification for the Industrial Disputes Tribunal’s delay in handing down a ruling on doctors’ overtime rates.

The issue, which dates back to 2023, was referred to the IDT in January 2025.

The JMDA concluded its case before the IDT in April this year and has been waiting for the ruling since then.

The doctors are still being paid overtime based on 2021 rates, which is a central point of contention.

During a press conference hosted by the Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) this morning, Brown cited section 12 (1) of the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act, which states that the Tribunal shall “make its award within 21 days”.

Brown, who is the JMDA’s industrial relations consultant, argued that since the Association concluded its case with the Tribunal on April 1, the prolonged delay cannot simply go unexplained.

He pointed out that the Tribunal has been provided with the necessary notes of evidence.

Brown also said the Tribunal could not be overwhelmed with other cases, as the JMDA’s matter has been deemed a priority.

The Trade Unionist maintained that the doctors’ case is not complicated.

Brown claimed that the Tribunal is being influenced by external factors.

The Association said no formal reason for the delay has been provided by the Tribunal.

It warned that normality within the sector cannot be guaranteed if the Tribunal fails to hand down its ruling by Friday, October 2.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has stated that government will refine various crime fighting measures, including the Firearms Act, to ensure that no innocent life is impacted.

He warned that the measures will be tougher for criminals.

His comments come amid a withdrawal of services by lawyers at various courts, as they call for amendments to the Firearms Act.

Dr. Holness says while the debate rages about whether or not there should be amendments to the Act, some of the discussions are insensitive to the overall effort being made by the Government and the security forces to reduce crime.

Speaking at the Spatial Arc Geography Information Systems (GIS) conference, this morning, Dr. Holness noted that GIS have been used in crime fighting, citing the development of the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOS), as an example.

Dr. Holness says the geographical data highlighted 20 communities where the murder rates were historically high, and consistently increasing.

Dr. Holness asserted that no community in the country has seen a consistently high murder rate over the past five years.

The Prime Minister warned that the gains made in the crime-fighting thrust should not be interrupted, as criminals continue to infiltrate more communities.

Dr. Holness chastised critics who belittle the Government’s crime fighting measures, such as the Firearms Act and GIS.

The Jamaica Medical Association (JMDA) says it is still awaiting answers from the Industrial Disputes Tribunal over its ruling on doctors’ overtime rates.

The matter has been before the Tribunal for about a year and a half, after the dispute with the Government began more than three years ago.

Doctors are currently being paid at rates based on a 2021 contract, while the JMDA has been pushing for revised rates and payment of outstanding amounts.

Speaking at a press conference at the Medallion Hall Hotel in Kingston Tuesday morning, JMDA President Dr. Jubilee Brown-Service said that the Tribunal had given no formal reason for the months-long delay in handing down its ruling.

JMDA concluded its case with the Tribunal in April.

The JMDA said it cannot guarantee normal operations within the public health sector if the matter remains unresolved by October 2.

Jamaicans are being urged to get their medical check-ups and to take extra precautions to stay safe, as a major disruption looms in the nation’s health sector.

The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) warned this morning at a press conference that normalcy in the sector could not be guaranteed if the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) fails to hand down its ruling on the matter of overtime rates and allowance for public-sector doctors by Friday, October 2.

The issue, which dates back to 2023, was referred to the IDT in January 2025.

The JMDA concluded its case before the IDT on April 1, 2026, and has been waiting for the ruling since then.

The doctors are still being paid overtime based on 2021 rates, a central point of contention.

JMDA President, Dr. Jubilee Brown Service, said doctors are frustrated over the delay in the IDT’s ruling and could take action.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, following the press conference, she said that while the JMDA is responsible and does not want patients to bear the brunt of the dispute, doctors have reached a point where they must press for a resolution.

She is urging Jamaicans, particularly those with pending medical appointments, to take advantage of services while they remain available.

Attorneys across the island have stayed off the job for a second consecutive day as they protest provisions under the Firearms Act.

The lawyers are calling for changes to the mandatory minimum sentences under the law.

Speaking with IRIE FM News this morning, President of the Jamaican Bar Association Tenneshia Watkins said lawyers are not working at gun courts today.

She said the protest is not only for lawyers but for justice.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith has reiterated the call for coordinated international efforts to tackle transnational criminal networks.

She was speaking at the 81st United Nations General Assembly session.

The session is centred on rebuilding global multilateral cooperation during a period marked by deep geopolitical rivalries, humanitarian crises and intensifying climate change.

The Foreign Affairs Minister noted that for Jamaica and the wider region, transnational organized crime remains a threat.

She expressed that the response therefore must also cross borders.

Mrs. Johnson Smith called for stronger cooperation. 

In the meantime she highlighted the positive gains of crime fighting in Jamaica but noted that there is work to be done.