PATH town hall meeting set for MoBay

Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr will be hosting another Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) Town Hall meeting on Thursday, April 25 at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre in Montego Bay, St James.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has been assessing concerns regarding the programme’s design, rules, and processes to ensure that current and future beneficiaries receive the quality services necessary to grow and thrive and become nation-builders.

Charles Jr highlights that PATH has been doing well over the years. However, its services must be updated for the programme to continue impacting lives.

“As leaders, our responsibility is to ensure that we are constantly and consistently improving to meet the changing needs of our society. If, at any moment, we believe we don’t need change or improvement, we have a problem. Our nation should always be challenging itself to improve year after year,” he said.

The social security ministry has been hosting town halls and consultations to hear and learn from stakeholders and provide them with information about PATH. Additionally, the ministry reviews questions and suggestions from key representatives and attendees and incorporates these recommendations to enhance service delivery.

“The ministry has observed a reduction in the complaints surrounding the programme since the transformation began in 2023,” Charles Jr said. “New systems, technology, and operational procedures have since been implemented to improve the ministry’s service and communication.”

As of December 2023, St James recorded a total of 20,518 PATH beneficiaries. Recognising this, Charles Jr and his team are committed to ensuring that the programme is thoroughly assessed and brought back to the drawing board to address the present concerns and issues surrounding the programme. This will result in the longevity of PATH while ensuring that those who are vulnerable are reaping the benefits of the programme.

Charles Jr emphasised that the transformation of PATH is not just a plan but a reality. As a testament to this, for the 2024-2025 financial year, PATH benefits will increase by 23 per cent.

“We are working to make the collection of benefits easier through electronic disbursement and adjusting the bi-monthly cash payments in keeping with the economic realities many are facing,” Charles Jr added.

This significant increase in benefits is accompanied by a commitment to increase the allocation of positions to operate the programme, including social workers and other relevant roles. These measures are designed to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of PATH services.