After a series of complaints from the public, especially women, Jamaica has revised the dress code in government offices and ministries.
Government entities had put in place a code that prohibited people from wearing sleeveless clothes even though there is no law or policy by the government banning such clothing.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Friday gave instructions for the suspension of the no-sleeveless policy and instructed a full review of government dress code practices.
“It has been found, that while the practice exists to prohibit persons who wear sleeveless from entering Government buildings through “dress codes” established within particular Ministries, Departments and Agencies, there is no law or official government policy on which these are based,” a statement by the government said.
The directive also highlights the need for the government to put in place an official dress code, to be generated by the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.
Jamaicans have welcomed the move, calling the policy outdated. Here are some reactions:
There was never a policy. Some MDAs just took the decision to impose this rule without any consideration for its implications.
— Nadeen Spence (@nadzique) August 11, 2018
Hope this fixes the problem. My guess is that regulations aside, the bigger issue was the dinosaurs in these government departments who were enforcing the policy.
— Jack Mandora⚖️ (@Zemi66) August 10, 2018
Why is this even need in this the year of our Lord 2018?? Every man, every woman n every child should be free to wear whatever pleases them to whatever place they choose! Their only restriction should be their morale, sense of judgement and “pride”!!
— M_Larriston ?? (@M_LarryAnderson) August 11, 2018
Yes boss get rid of some of the antiquated regulations out of the thing , and the members who brought it up as an issue should be ashamed , petty partisanship has no place in Ja , we have bigger problems to worry about .
— Samora E Murray (@sagemicah) August 10, 2018
