Prime Minister Andrew Holness has instructed all government entities to allow access and services to persons wearing sleeveless attire.

Following public outcry and a promise to review the matter, Mr. Holness today announced a suspension of the no-sleeveless policy and practice that had prohibited women wearing sleeveless attire, from entry into government buildings.

In a statement, Mr. Holness says, he has also instructed a full review of government dress code practices.

He notes that while the practice exists to prohibit persons who wear sleeveless from entering government buildings, there is no law or official government policy on which these are based.
He says the cabinet has taken note of the concerns expressed by members of the public and empathizes with the unfortunate experiences shared primarily by women in both extreme and everyday circumstances.

In that regard, Prime Minister Holness instructed the Cabinet secretary to write to ministries, departments and agencies to make them aware that they are not to deny access or services to persons, based on their sleeveless attire, as this is not the policy of the government.

He says that to ensure the formulation of a proper policy in the medium term, the Minister of Culture and Gender has been mandated to formulate, subject to consultation, a government dress code policy that is aligned with modern considerations, as well as the climatic realities of Jamaica.