Gov't commits to upholding religious liberty amid concern from Sabbath keepers

By Racquel Porter    

 

Minister of Labour Pearnel Charles Jr. says the government is fully committed to upholding religious liberty.

 

He was responding to a call from the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for the rights of Sabbath observers to be protected following the government's announcement that selected tax offices in all parishes across Jamaica will be opened on Saturdays.

 

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director of the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Nigel Coke, said while the conference is not against the move, religious liberties must not be trampled on.

 

But Minister Charles said the expansion does not violate religious freedom, citing a clear policy of the TAJ in relation to work on Saturdays. 

 

"Staff members are given the opportunity to indicate their availability, ensuring that no one is forced to compromise their faith. Additionally, the initiative to open selected TAJ offices on Saturdays is not a new one. The Portmore tax office has been open every Saturday and selected offices already operate on the last Saturday of each month. So therefore this expansion simply extends that accessibility to more locations, allowing citizens greater flexibility to conduct business outside of the traditional weekly hours," he explained. 

 

He sought to assure the public, including members of the Seventh-day Adventist community, that the government "continues to uphold religious freedom and will never impose policies that force individuals to act against their faith".