There is support for calls for a minimum requirement to be outlined in the job descriptions for Cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament. 
Monday, 19 June 2023 12:11

Jess lashes Spencer in North East St Elizabeth

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SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Lawyer Zuleika Jess gained the majority support of delegates to represent the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) in the next parliamentary election after triumphing over Kern Spencer in Sunday's internal election.

The People's National Party (PNP) is appealing for calm in the St Catherine South East constituency arising from a fire that destroyed its constituency office last night.

President of the People's National Party (PNP) Mark Golding says he has honoured his pledge to donate 80 per cent of his retroactive salary increase - amounting to $5,417,000 - to several charities in Jamaica.

According to Golding he wanted to fulfil the promise he made to the people of Jamaica on May 19th at a press conference on the matter.

“We have yet to receive the increased monthly salary, I assume if it is not rolled back we will see that at the end of this month. However, I did not want to wait for that, I wanted to ensure I fulfilled my promise to the people of Jamaica."

The donations have been allocated to the following charities:

1. Missionaries of the Poor

2. Mustard Seed Communities

3. Food for the Poor

4. Joy Town Community Development Foundation

5. OT Fairclough Trust Fund

6. Jamaica Paralympic Association

In a release on Tuesday, Golding stated that he carefully selected these organisations based on their exceptional efforts in addressing crucial needs within society.

He added that by directing his financial resources toward these organisations, he aims to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals and marginalised communities.

Golding also reiterated his unwavering stance on the need to review and roll back the excessively high salary increases granted to Parliamentarians. He called for an independent body to thoroughly evaluate and reset these remuneration packages, which he views as “unreasonably excessive.”

“Such a review will ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the compensation of elected officials,” Golding said,

The Opposition Leader said he will continue to demonstrate the importance of responsible leadership and community involvement.

Thursday, 08 June 2023 13:21

Dr Andre Haughton added to PNP Shadow Cabinet

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The People's National Party (PNP) has announced that Dr Andre Haughton has been added to the Mark Golding-led shadow cabinet.

Portland Eastern Member of Parliament Ann-Marie Vaz has promised to donate the first-year increase of her salary to the vendors affected by Sunday’s massive fire at the Musgrave Market in Port Antonio, Portland.

In a video release on Sunday, Vaz, stating that bad things come in threes, said she plans to help those impacted by the fire, starting with the additional funds from her salary.

Two weeks ago, Finance and the Public Service Minister Dr Nigel Clarke announced increases in salaries for Jamaica’s politicians over a three-year period ending April 2025. The increases are part of the Government’s compensation restructuring for the public service.

With the increases, Members of Parliament like Vaz will be moving from a salary of $11.1 million in 2022 to taking home $14.2 million by next April.

Speaking Sunday, Vaz said she was thankful that no life was lost in the tragic fire which started in the historic Musgrave Market and affected other nearby businesses in Port Antonio, Portland on Sunday.

"The fire caused significant damage to the market and nearby businesses,” Vaz said.

Expressing her devastation for all affected by the fire, she pledged to donate the “entire first-year increase in my salary” to the vendors affected.

“I am already in dialogue with the GOJ [Government of Jamaica] and various private sector stakeholders as I seek funding that we may assist as many people as possible who've been affected to get back up and running in the shortest possible time,” she said, adding that the market will be rebuilt.

Vaz’s announcement also comes on the heels of Prime Minister Andrew Holness disclosing last week that he will not be taking his massive pay hike under the new compensation structure for the political directorate.

Since the announcement of the increases for members of the political directorate two weeks ago, there has been public outrage over the new salaries.

Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister on Thursday. 

Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis has launched his White House bid in a conversation with Twitter boss Elon Musk.

Former member of the People’s National Party (PNP), Councillor for the Papine Division, Venesha Phillips, says she is confused about why the party would now issue a release that she has left its fold after she did so nearly two years ago.

Newly appointed Government Senator and banker, Dr Dana Morris Dixon, has been elevated to the new-look Cabinet of Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Thursday, 11 May 2023 12:33

PNP says rape comment not directed at journalist

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The Opposition People's National Party (PNP) says, after conducting an investigation, the "rape" comment—purportedly aimed at a journalist and which led to heavy criticisms of the political party over the last few days—was not directed at the media worker.

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