Holness urges Labour Day rebuilding as Jamaica prepares for 2026 hurricane season

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has called on Jamaicans to use Labour Day 2026 as a day of service, recovery and preparation, saying the country must continue rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa while getting ready for the new hurricane season.

In his national message, Holness said the storm left serious damage across Jamaica, even though some families, businesses and communities have made progress. He said other households still lack adequate shelter, social amenities and dependable income, and assured those affected that they have not been abandoned.

Holness said the Government has committed more than $67 billion to relief and recovery. He said $10 billion has gone to the ROOFS programme, which provides grants to assessed households for roof repairs and essential home restoration. Schools and homes are also being repaired, while JPS was supported to help speed up the return of electricity islandwide.

He pointed to a major debris-clearing effort in affected parishes, carried out through the National Housing Trust, the Ministry of Housing and assistance from the Government of China. More than 2,700 semi-permanent modular houses have been secured for Jamaicans assessed as having totally lost their homes and unable to rebuild immediately.

Holness said the units need reinforced concrete bases before they can be installed. Of the $1.44 billion donated for hurricane recovery, $600 million will be used to build foundations for the first 900 pre-built units now in Jamaica. The balance will buy roofing materials to support the ongoing Government-led repair programme.

He said donated funds would be used in practical, accountable and traceable ways, with spending focused on repaired roofs, built foundations and restored homes. As damage assessments improve, he said further support could be provided to affected households.

The Prime Minister also praised volunteers, Jamaicans at home and friends overseas who assisted after the hurricane, saying their service reflected the meaning of Labour Day. He encouraged people to repair schools and clinics, clean community spaces, clear drains, trim dangerous trees, inspect roofs, check emergency supplies, and service and refuel generators before the 2026 hurricane season begins.

Holness also said Jamaica must become more productive, disciplined and efficient. He argued that higher wages and better living standards must be matched by greater output, stronger efficiency and improved national performance, including in the public sector.

He said the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority has been created to coordinate Jamaica’s rebuilding with urgency, transparency and speed, and urged citizens to help strengthen the country through work, discipline, preparation and national pride.