KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer -LABOUR and Social Security Minister Derrick Kellier says the country is currently experiencing an unprecedented degree of industrial stability, pointing out that this is a result of the robust and mature industrial relations mechanism that now exists in Jamaica. Speaking at a press briefing held at the Ministry's North Street offices in downtown Kingston on Wednesday, Kellier reported that work stoppages have declined over the 2010/2012 period. Data from the ministry showed that there were 12 work stoppages during 2010, with a decline to 10 in 2011, and an even further reduction to six, last year. The statistics also showed that for 2011 and 2012, a total of 245 and 372 industrial disputes were reported, respectively.
