KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has moved to ease the worries of members of the Seventh-day Adventists community who have expressed concern over the decision to expand the general opening hours of the Tax Administration of Jamaica (TAJ) to include Saturdays.

The decision to open selected TAJ offices in all parishes on Saturdays was announced by Minister of Finance Fayval Williams during her 2025/26 Budget Debate in Parliament on Tuesday.

READ: TAJ to introduce regular Saturday operations

It has since been met with backlash from the Seventh-day Adventists community who are concerned the decision will violate their religious freedom.

READ: Sabbath keepers raise concerns regarding Saturday opening of selected TAJ offices

In a statement on Thursday, addressing the concerns, portfolio Minister Pearnel Charles Jr said, “It is important to note that this expansion does not violate the religious freedom of any individual. TAJ has a clear policy that respects the beliefs of its staff.”

“Employees are not mandated to work on Saturdays if doing so would contradict their religious convictions. Instead, staff members are given the opportunity to indicate their availability, ensuring that no one is forced to compromise their faith,” he explained.

On Wednesday, Public affairs and religious liberty director of the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Nigel Coke expressed support for the change but reminded the Government that the rights of Sabbath keepers must be respected.

“We are also cognizant that among workers in Government are those who worship on the Sabbath, hence the concern that coming out of our recent summit and the commitment of the Government to uphold the constitution on religious freedom, Sabbath keepers are not forced to work against their freedom of conscience and beliefs,” he said at the time.

However, Charles Jr reminded the Adventists that Saturday operations are not new at the TAJ and argued that the expansion in service was to accommodate more citizens islandwide.

The Portmore Tax Office has operated every Saturday for some time and selected TAJ offices have been operating every last Saturday of each month.

“We assure the public, including members of the Seventh-day Adventists community that the Government continues to uphold religious freedom and will never impose policies that force individuals to act against their faith,” the minister said.

— Billeane Williams