Reggae and dancehall entertainers could finally be on the receiving end of government-funded insurance.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, Honorable Olivia Babsy Grange, has announced plans by her ministry, to establish an insurance fund for performing artists and musicians.

With hopes of a 2020 target, Minister Grange advised that proposals include coverage for life, health, maternity, and pension plans. Noting that there is currently a working insurance fund for athletes, Minister Grange shared that the initiative for entertainers will be undertaken in partnership with key stakeholders from the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA), Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM), and the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes Affiliates (JAVAA).

The announcement by Minister Grange came at the launch of Reggae Month 2020, which will be celebrated next February, under the theme ‘Come Ketch De Riddim,’ and is expected to feature 29 days of live reggae music activities on the island, and in the Jamaican diaspora.