Labour ministry formalises strategic partnership with HR association

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has formalised a strategic working partnership with the Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica (HRMAJ), marking a significant step toward deeper collaboration on workforce development, labour policy and national resilience. The partnership was announced at the opening of HRMAJ’s 45th Annual Human Resource and Leadership Conference, held last week at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

“There is no doubt of the inextricable connection between what this association seeks to achieve and what the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has as its mandate,” said Pearnel Charles Jr, Minister of Labour and Social Security. “We have shared goals, mutual obligations, and a responsibility to work together to strengthen Jamaica’s workforce and global competitiveness.”

The minister confirmed the signing of a joint statement of intent, which establishes a framework for ongoing dialogue and cooperation between the ministry and HRMAJ. The agreement signals closer alignment on labour market reform, professional standards, workforce planning and social dialogue, positioning HR professionals as strategic partners in national development.

In his address, Charles underscored the expanding responsibilities of HR professionals, describing them as architects of organisational culture, guardians of workplace equity and key agents of national resilience.

“You are expected to do more with less, to drive productivity, foster innovation, ensure compliance and maintain harmony in increasingly complex workplaces,” Charles said. “That is why this partnership must go beyond formality and become an active collaboration in national development.”

The announcement set the tone for the two-day conference, staged under the theme “Resilient Leadership, Strategic Impact: HR at the Heart of Jamaica’s Rebuilding.” The conference brought together hundreds of HR practitioners, business leaders, consultants and public-sector stakeholders to examine the evolving role of human resource management amid economic uncertainty, technological disruption

HRMAJ President, Dr Cassida Jones Johnson, said the conference and the formalised partnership reflect a deliberate repositioning of the HR profession in Jamaica.

“This conference was intentionally designed to move HR beyond administration and into strategic national relevance,” Jones Johnson said. “From economic policy and disaster resilience to leadership ethics and workforce transformation, the conversations over these two days reinforce that HR professionals are central to rebuilding organisations and strengthening Jamaica’s competitiveness.”

She added that the partnership with the ministry affirms HRMAJ’s role as a critical stakeholder in shaping labour policy and professional standards, particularly at a time when organisations are navigating rapid change, workforce displacement, and heightened employee support needs.

Conference sessions and workshops addressed workforce recovery, the impact of artificial intelligence on employment, talent mobility, ethical leadership, hybrid and remote work management, and employee mental health. Practical discussions focused on equipping HR professionals to manage displacement, organisational change, and performance in increasingly complex work environments.