#KINGSTON, March 5, 2020 (JIS): The Government will be partnering with the University of the West Indies (UWI), Open Campus, over the next three years, to provide training and research on sexual harassment in the workplace and related matters.
Specifically, the collaboration is
between the Bureau of Gender Affairs (BGA), under the Ministry of Culture,
Gender, Entertainment and Sport, and the Hugh Shearer Labour Studies Institute.
The partnership will see the Institute
providing special training through seminars, lectures and workshops coordinated
by the Bureau. Training will cover the areas of sexual harassment, workplace
bullying, emotional intelligence, labour laws, grievance handling and good
industrial relations practices.
Both
parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise this
partnership during a ceremony at the UWI Regional Headquarters on February 28.
The emphasis will be on providing
support to combat the stigma of sexual harassment through research and the areas
of training identified. It is expected to contribute to an appreciation among
public sector workers of the importance of promoting an environment free of sexual
harassment, in which all categories of workers are treated with respect and
dignity.
Minister of Culture, Gender,
Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, who participated in the signing,
said the MOU has been entered into at an opportune time, in light of “the
increasing incidents of violence and abuse of our women.”
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She noted that through the MoU, the
intent is to explore the impact on productivity of sexual harassment and the
implications for workplace competitiveness.
“We would also want to examine the link
between sexual harassment and the society; the existing and potential costs in
legal related terms; the cost associated with the re-orientation of victims
back into the society; the loss of skilled workers; and the psychologically-related
costs that are often associated with these abuses,” she said.
She pointed out that the Ministry’s
collaboration with the UWI Open Campus will assist in defining the scope of the
research agenda, “and to better prepare us for the challenges in combatting
sexual harassment in the workplace.”
Ms. Grange said an important benefit from
this collaboration is in the area of training, which will focus on prevention
of sexual harassment.
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“In that regard, we must create a vision
of a new Jamaica where respect, tolerance and dignity and a high self-esteem
are seen as the norm for workplace behaviours, and that organisations take the
time and make the effort to offer mentorship and specialised training for
persons who have been socialised to show disrespect for women,” she said.
In her remarks, Pro Vice-Chancellor and
Principal, UWI Open Campus, Dr. Luz Longsworth, said through ongoing training,
the Institute has been working to address the issue of sexual harassment.
“Over the last year or two, the Institute
has been at the forefront of training and sensitisation in over 30 orgnisations
in Jamaica and the region in both the public and private sectors and they have
dealt with not only sexual harassment, but also workplace bullying, and in
guiding policy development and implementation in the workforce,” she said.
Dr. Longsworth argued that knowing what is
happening in the workplace is important to ensuring the improvement of labour
relations in Jamaica.
She noted that Jamaica’s “own culturally
nuanced approach to gender interactions in the workplace needs to be explored.
They need to be scrutinised and most importantly, they need to be researched in
order to guide our policy development.”
“We know that there is a dearth of that
type of research in the Caribbean which will guide policy and practice is some
of our major industries,” she said.
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She noted for instance, that research needs to
be done on the local hospitality industry, pointing to research from the United
Kingdom (UK) which revealed that nine out of every 10 workers in the sector
have experienced some form of sexual harassment.
Dr.
Longsworth also pointed to the need to explore the situation of domestic workers
as well as call centre employees.
She said that sexual harassment is not
only about human rights and social justice, but it makes good business sense
for organisations to invest in eliminating sexual harassment, citing research
in the United States (US) which has shown that the effects of sexual harassment
on productivity and health, as well as the cost of litigation, can go up to US$22,000
per employee in the company that is affected.
Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.
Roseau, Dominica – Thirteen second-year high school students from Maison Familiale Rurale Education Orientation Lamentin (MFR Lamentin) in Guadeloupe have arrived in Dominica for a five-day educational exchange focused on the Kalinago people—Dominica’s Indigenous community. The initiative forms part of their Caribbean history curriculum and aims to foster deeper understanding and appreciation of the region’s rich and often overlooked Indigenous heritage.
This immersive experience, coordinated by Black Island Girl Multimedia, is designed to educate students on the Kalinago people’s contributions, traditions, and resilience, both past and present. By bringing students directly into contact with the Kalinago Territory, this program seeks to reshape the way Caribbean history is taught, centering authentic narratives and challenging historically inaccurate portrayals.
During their stay, students will engage with several cultural leaders including:
Anette Sanford, Dominica’s first female Kalinago Chief
Cozier Frederick, Minister for Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment, and Constituency Empowerment
Earlson Matthew, Chief Cultural Officer of Dominica
The itinerary also includes serval heritage sites and cultural experiences. They will participate in a traditional Kalinago naming ceremony, culinary experiences with locally made cassava and other traditional foods, and visits to historical and natural landmarks such as the Indian River, Fort Shirley, and Titou Gorge.
Educators from MFR Lamentin have extended a heartfelt invitation to members of the Kalinago community and cultural experts to meet with the visiting students. “We would be honoured if you could spare some time to engage with our students and share your perspectives on the significance of the Kalinago civilization in both historical and contemporary contexts,” said Mahailiah Mellow, teacher and development officer from the delegation. “Your expertise and leadership would greatly enrich the students’ understanding and appreciation of this vibrant and enduring culture.”
This exchange not only represents a powerful educational moment but also contributes to the ongoing efforts to preserve and promote Kalinago heritage across the Caribbean.
Black Island Girl Multimedia is a media and communications company founded by Jael Joseph, a Dominican-Canadian journalist, media producer, and cultural storyteller. The company is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented Caribbean voices, reshaping narratives around Caribbean identity, and telling stories that center Black and Indigenous perspectives particularly those often excluded from mainstream historical accounts.
Black Island Girl Multimedia focuses on:
Documentary production and multimedia storytelling; “Territory”, a documentary on the Kalinago people won Best Short Doc in 2023 at The Caribbean Tales International Film Festival in Canada.
Cultural preservation through digital media, podcasting, and live events
Education and advocacy, especially around Caribbean history, heritage, and the experiences of women, migrants, and Indigenous peoples
Event partnerships that align with social justice, cultural upliftment, and regional empowerment
The name “Black Island Girl” is both a declaration of identity and a mission: to represent the richness, resilience, and reality of Caribbean life through creative media rooted in truth and lived experience.
For Interviews, media contact: ACEM By Jael Inc.
Email: jael.joseph@gmail.com
Phone: 767 277-3699 / 614 1770
Kingston, Jamaica, May 17, 2025 – Cabinet has approved the introduction of the unemployment insurance benefit, which will be added to the suite of provisions under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
The new benefit will serve as a guaranteed safety net for all employees who contribute to the NIS, except for self-employed persons.
Additionally, work is under way to establish the requisite legal and institutional frameworks to implement this important national support system.
“One of the key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is the urgent need for a system that supports workers who lose their jobs, helping them to remain financially stable while seeking re-employment,” Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said during his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 13).
Meanwhile, the Government has taken a decisive step to strengthen the nation’s social security framework by implementing the Social Protection for Increased Resilience and Opportunity (SPIRO), a US$20-million initiative supported by the World Bank.
Mr. Charles Jr. noted that SPIRO, which was launched last year, represents a transformative shift in social governance, with three strategic pillars – the creation of a unified Social Protection Information System (SPIS), supporting the introduction of unemployment insurance, and modernising of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS).
“The project is already generating impact through comprehensive assessments led by expert consultants, aimed at overhauling labour market services,” he stated.
The Minister further indicated that there will be upgrades to the Electronic Labour Exchange (ELE) and LMIS, which will enhance the digital infrastructure for employment services.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: How did a young girl from a small Caribbean island grow into a skilled butcher and a leader in one of the most cutting-edge hospitality teams in the Turks and Caicos Islands?
This is the remarkable story of a woman who, for over a decade, has mastered her craft in a field traditionally dominated by men—transforming raw cuts into culinary art. With precision and passion, Maria Cash Williams has carved a path of her own as a respected kitchen supervisor in the butcher shop at Beaches Turks and Caicos.
Williams was employed at the leading family resort for more than 18 years. Her journey in the hospitality industry at Beaches Turks and Caicos started in 1995 at the then Royal Bay Resort as a cook. Due to a loss within the family Maria took a hiatus in 2013 to focus on her family and herself.
She rejoined the Beaches team in 2022. “One of my most difficult periods was when I lost my husband and decided to take a break to focus on providing emotional and physical support for the rest of my family. This period gave me a chance to task myself to rise above every obstacle. I’m happy for the continued support that I have received from friends and family,” Maria shared.
When asked what she loves most about her job, according to Maria, “I adore the motivation my profession gives me to improve my skills daily. While I’m passionate about growth, I also enjoy assisting my team members in enhancing their abilities. I also have a profound desire for butchery because it allows me to be creative in how I prepare meat for guests’ consumption,” Maria said.
She also indicated that her passion for the field developed as she managed the butcher shop for more than 10 years.
Maria furthered her education through the Sandals Corporate University (SCU) where she completed a total of 10 certifications including Certified Hospitality Supervisor, Train the Trainer, Safe Surf and Customer Service. Some of the leaders who have had the most profound impact on Maria since she started working at BTC are Collin Watson, former executive chef, for the way he molded her into who she is today and a former manager Caston Carr who also encouraged her to never settle for less as he constantly reminds her that she is capable of achieving anything she puts her mind to.
“The qualities that Mr. Carr embraces and demonstrates as a manager, seeing that from a supervisor’s stand point is what encourages me every day to improve my abilities which shows in the work that I produce. I would say Mr. Carr was a mentor to me, someone I can go to for guidance, and to get clarity on whatever I found to be unclear,” Maria noted.
“She’s an outstanding role model who leads by example and brings her best to work each and every day. Maria is dependable and a committed team player whose passion for the industry helps in creating a healthy working environment,” shared Executive Chef Craig Nazareth.
Lawrence Haye, cook in the banqueting unit added, “the quality of Maria’s work can be seen in everything that she does. She is a mentor to the culinary team in the kitchen and around the resort. She’s approachable and sports a smile at all times. She is truly a gem.”
Maria noted, “my most memorable experience at BTC was meeting my new team members and getting to know their cultural backgrounds, and helping to enhance their present skills.”
She shared that if she wasn’t working as a kitchen supervisor she would be working as a bartender since she started out working at the bar in the early 1980’s.
When asked what she loves to do in her leisure time, Maria highlighted that she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, listening to music and relaxing with a cold drink while watching her favourite television shows. If she had one day to live she would spend it by giving God thanks and enjoying quality time with her children and grandchildren, whom she loves dearly. Maria describes herself as a bubbly person; someone who is funny, joyous and high spirited.
Maria Cash Williams, a veteran in the hospitality field of butchery, still enjoys what she considers to be her first love.