KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme has now surpassed five billion dollars (One Jamaican dollar = 0.008 cents) since its inception.
“I would like to indicate, by way of out-turn, that the world-class, world-standard, historic Tourism Workers Pension Scheme, in its first two years… notwithstanding (Hurricanes) Melissa and Beryl… stands now at J$5.1 billion,” he said.
Bartlett, speaking during the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives meeting, where members are reviewing the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure, said.
that beneficiaries impacted by Hurricane Melissa who have changed jobs will not be penalised.
He said instead, they will be permitted to transfer their pension arrangements to subsequent employment within the sector should they be required to change jobs.
“Members who have been dislocated in one form or another as a result of [Hurricane] Melissa will not be affected at all. Indeed, if it is that members are now forlorn of having to go to other occupations, they can then take that pension arrangement with them wherever they go,” Bartlett said.
He told legislators that the transferability of the pension arrangement is unique to Jamaica, as it is the only scheme worldwide that offers a comprehensive pension plan covering every category of worker in the tourism sector.
The Tourism Workers Pension Scheme, which the government seeded with a $1 billion donation, is designed to provide coverage for permanent, contract, and self-employed workers in the tourism sector aged 18 to 59.
This coverage extends to hotel workers and to individuals employed in related industries, including craft vendors, tour operators, red cap porters, contract carriage operators, and workers at attractions.
Qualified pensioners who have met the five-year vesting period will begin receiving benefits at age 65 or older. Meanwhile, the government says a total of J$315 million has been disbursed to date from the billion-dollar Jamaica Screen Fund to support film projects.
Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Aubyn Hill, told legislators that the Fund, which supports the development and production of film and television projects in Jamaica, provided an initial upfront investment of J$500,000.
“W” went through the process of seeking out people interested in the film business. We got over 400 applications. We narrowed it down to about 209 and ended up with about 90 that we have decided to fund,” he said.
Hill said approximately 31 per cent of the provision has been disbursed. The FuFund’s sources are administered by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.
Disbursements are made in tranches once the Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce approves eligible completed projects that meet the application requirements.
“The JAMPRO (Jamaica Promotions Corporation) management and Board are very excited and working hard to make sure we distribute the money, bearing in mind that we have to be transparent and accountable for every penny we spend,” will add.
The government established the Jamaica Screen Fund, which forms part of the Jamaica Screen Development Initiative (JSDI), which was officially launched to strengthen the country’s film, television, and animation industries.
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