Former president of the Jamaica Employers Federation (JEF) Herbert Lewis is dead.

Lewis died yesterday in hospital after a long illness. He is survived by his widow Madge and five sons. Lewis is a former chief labour officer of the Ministry of Labour and a member of the Labour Advisory Committee.

He also served as a board Member of the National Housing Trust, a member of the National Planning Council and the Mediation Pilot Steering Committee (a joint project of the Government of Canada and the Government of Jamaica.

A graduate of Excelsior, the University of the West Indies and the International Institute for Labour Studies, Geneva, Lewis was awarded the National Honour of the Order of Distinction for his services in the field of Industrial Relations.

Yesterday chief executive officer of the JEF, Leroy Brown, remembered Lewis as an outstanding negotiator who served the public and private sectors well.

"He was very knowledgeable and not afraid to make his contribution in his service to the country," Brown said.

"His passing has left a void and the country will miss him," he added.

Lewis was 69 years old.