Bartlett Names Board of Trustees for Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 23, 2019:  Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has named a 9-member Board of Trustees, for the recently passed landmark Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme. The appointment is for a period of one year with immediate effect.

Retired banking and insurance executive, Richard Powell will serve as chairperson, with Attorney-at-Law, Hyacinth Lightbourne as deputy-chairman.

The other members are: Retired Actuary, Daisy Coke; President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Omar Robinson; Group Commercial Director of Sandals Resorts, Wayne Cummings; Hotelier, Philipp Hofer; Attorney-at-Law, Carlton Williams; Chartered Accountant, Eric Crawford; Head of the Hugh Lawson Shearer Trade Union Education Institute at UWI’s Open Campus,  Danny Roberts.

“The appointment of the Board of Trustees will take us one step closer to making the Tourism Workers Pension Act (2019) come to life and speaks to the Government’s commitment to human capital development. This Pension Scheme will secure the safety, future and social requirements of the people who work in tourism,” said Minister Bartlett.

The Board of Trustees will play a critical role in the management of the Scheme starting with the review of the regulations required to make it operational. Its mandate will also include management of all moneys paid, or assets transferred into the Scheme and the appointment of a Fund manager.

The Pension Scheme, which was passed in parliament in July, has also received the assent of the Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen.

The Pension Scheme, is a defined contributory plan supported by legislation, and will require mandatory contribution by workers and employers.

Designed to cover all workers ages 18-59 years in the tourism sector, whether permanent, contract or self-employed, the Scheme will cover all categories of workers.

It is expected to come into effect early 2020, with benefits payable at age 65 years or older.