KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, is calling on Jamaicans to make an extra special effort to participate in this year’s Labour Day activities, as the Government rolls out a national plan to improve accessibility at schools and health centres across the island.

The minister was speaking at the launch of Workers’ Week and Labour Day at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.

Grange explained that the concept behind this year’s theme — “Ramp It Up, Fix It Up” — is to build ramps at schools and health centres across the island.

“We are trying to make access to health and education easier for our fellow Jamaicans who are physically challenged. This is a responsibility that we hold dear,” she said.

“We recognize that it can be very difficult for our physically challenged members of society to access essential services, so we cannot state enough how important this year’s Workers’ Week and Labour Day activities will be.”

The target is to have a total of 130 schools across the island outfitted with ramps to improve ease of access to ground floors.

The minister said a similar approach is being taken with health centres and the country’s municipal corporations will be leading in that regard.

The Ministry of Culture, Gender Entertainment and Sport is partnering with the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Labour and Social Security to execute the Labour Day activities.

Workers’ Week and Labour Day were officially launched by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and there were also presentations by Senator Ruel Reid, Minister Education, Youth and Information and Shahine Robinson, Minister of Labour and Social Security.

Workers’ Week will be observed May 14-23 with Labour Day on May 23.