The Jamaican government has officially launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at supporting the island’s entertainers and creatives, providing them with much-needed life insurance coverage. The new Jamaica Entertainers and Creatives Insurance Plan was unveiled during a contract signing ceremony on November 12 at the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport in Kingston. This initiative is a significant step in securing the financial well-being of those who contribute so much to Jamaica’s vibrant entertainment and cultural landscape.
The plan, spearheaded by the Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, is available to all registered entertainers and creatives listed on Jamaica’s National Registry of Entertainment and Creative Industries Practitioners (e-Registry). The coverage is being administered by Guardian Life Insurance Group, and importantly, it is offered at no cost to the registered participants. This means that the entertainers and creatives do not have to make monthly contributions to benefit from the life insurance coverage, which is available for individuals aged 6 to 75, with the option to extend coverage up to age 99.
Minister Grange emphasized the importance of the initiative, particularly highlighting the challenges faced by the entertainment industry in 2017/2018 when a significant number of entertainers passed away without adequate insurance coverage to assist with funeral arrangements. “I must tell you, in that year, 19 entertainers died, 70 percent of whom died without adequate insurance coverage to provide funding for suitable funeral arrangements,” she said. The Ministry’s aim with this new plan is to prevent such situations from recurring, ensuring that entertainers and their families are better protected in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
“Many of these entertainment and cultural practitioners have served and given so much to our country,” Grange added, urging all registered creatives to take advantage of the free insurance coverage and to treat it with the seriousness it deserves. She also acknowledged the importance of having the correct beneficiaries identified, ensuring that their estate would be properly managed if anything were to happen.
In addition to the life insurance plan, Minister Grange shared that the Ministry is planning to roll out a comprehensive group health insurance plan by January 2025. This will provide medical coverage including hospitalization, surgery, accident care, maternity, and even overseas emergency medical care for those who may be touring abroad. According to Grange, the health insurance plan will be another vital component in ensuring the well-being of Jamaica’s entertainers and creatives.
Guardian Life’s Group Head of Life, Health, and Pensions, Eric Hosin, expressed his company’s pride in being part of the initiative. “It’s not just you who feel the pain, it is your family members that will be feeling more pain. So those who are your dependents would be very happy to know that you have this in place for them, for their benefit and for you, in case of an accident,” Hosin noted, emphasizing the importance of planning ahead for one’s family and dependents.
Additionally, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Dione Jennings, affirmed the Ministry’s support for the initiative. She stated that their mission is to ensure that no Jamaican, especially those in creative industries, is left behind when it comes to social protection and benefits.
For those interested in taking part in the Jamaica Entertainers and Creatives Insurance Plan, registration is open via the Ministry’s e-Registry platform at mcges.gov.jm/eregistry.
This innovative plan marks a new chapter in the Jamaican government’s commitment to safeguarding the livelihoods of its cultural ambassadors, ensuring that their contributions to the country are celebrated and protected.
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