House advances labour reforms and NHT transfer extension during sectoral sitting

The House of Representatives continued the 2026 sectoral debate on Tuesday, May 19, with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security outlining new measures on welfare access, worker protection, disability inclusion and overseas employment, before the chamber passed amendments extending annual transfers from the National Housing Trust to central government.

The Labour and Social Security Minister said eligible applicants who receive provisional approval under PATH will move more quickly into temporary payable status, while verification and orientation procedures are modernised. He also announced reforms to PATH recertification, a priority access route for persons with disabilities, new scholarships in social protection fields, and expanded assistance for domestic workers through a memorandum of understanding with the Jamaica Household Workers Union.

The ministry also announced plans for Access Jamaica, an expansion of early-stimulation services using mobile therapy teams in rural parishes, and a digital marketplace for businesses owned by persons with disabilities. On labour policy, the minister said Jamaica would pursue a future-of-work and digital labour task force, remote-work guidelines, stronger engagement with the BPO sector, and continued work on unemployment insurance.

Opposition members used their sectoral presentations to criticise government policy in sport, labour and health. The Clarendon Northern member said Jamaica needed stronger athlete welfare, sports infrastructure, anti-doping education and cricket development. The St. Catherine Southeastern member argued that health policy was producing announcements without enough improvement in patient outcomes, hospital access, screening or mental health support.

Later, the House debated the National Housing Trust Amendment Act, which allows annual transfers of up to $11.4 billion through the financial year ending March 31, 2031. Government members said Hurricane Melissa’s impact made the transfers necessary to support the budget without new taxes. Opposition members objected to the five-year extension, arguing that NHT resources should remain focused on housing needs. A proposed amendment to reduce the period to two years was defeated, and the bill later passed third reading by 29 votes to 24, with 10 members absent.

The sitting also included announcements for Workers’ Week and Labour Day projects, and tributes to former parliamentarian and minister Leslie Campbell.