Come September 1, the social security network provided for workers in Jamaica’s tourism sector will be even stronger. That is the day applications — submitted virtually or in person — will be open for the long-awaited Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme.
It will cover all workers in the tourism sector, from age 18 to 59 years, whether permanent, contractual or self-employed. This will include hotel workers, as well as persons employed in related industries, such as craft vendors, tour operators, red cap porters, contract carriage operators and workers at attractions. Benefits will be payable at age 65 years or older.
The initiative, which is being paired with training and capacity-building as part of a three-pronged human capital development plan for industry workers, will see mandatory contributions by workers and employers. Employers will be asked to start at five per cent. The Tourism Ministry provided $1 billion to seed the fund, so that immediate benefits can accrue to qualified pensioners who have met the vested five-year period.
Details on the scheme were provided by Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett as he closed the 2021/22 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives.
Source: JIS