Participation in the scheme will be open to full-time media and communications professionals, freelancers and correspondents who are members of the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ).

"It is a timely development that will provide a cushion for media practitioners who are facing the prospect of losing these critical benefits during the current instability in the labour market," said PAJ President Byron Buckley.

The association did not outline a timeline for implementation.

Media and PR practitioners who are interested in joining the health and life insurance scheme are invited to attend a question-and-answer session at the PAJ's 5 East Avenue, Kingston 8, headquarters on Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m.-noon.