THE recently tabled job descriptions for parliamentarians and ministers are a positive step in the governance structure of the country, says Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr.

Charles Jr was responding to a question posed during yesterday’s (June 21) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House in St Andrew.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, on Tuesday (June 20), tabled in the House of Representatives job descriptions for Parliamentarians in the form of a Green Paper, and for ministers in the form of a White Paper.

Minister Charles Jr said they will assist in defining the functions and duties of parliamentarians and ministers.

“This will assist in three ways: Defining the parameters of duties, skills, abilities, elements that are required for this job that will help somebody who is looking on to know if they want to get into it,” he argued.

“It will help to keep the person who is involved in the job to know exactly, in a written way, what they are being held accountable for. And I think thirdly, and more importantly, for the citizens that we serve it will allow them to have a better understanding of the parameters of this awesome responsibility… and it would allow for us to focus our attention on those relevant matters within the job description,” the minister said.

He noted that Prime Minister Holness is taking steps to modernise the framework of governance in Jamaica.

“It’s a part of the thrust towards developing our country and moving Jamaica into an era where the tenets of accountability and transparency are norms,” he said.

Similarly, in his response Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Senator Aubyn Hill said he was pleased the papers were laid in the House.

“Accountability is not wrong; accountability is right. Accountability is what the Andrew Holness Administration has been saying,” he said.