Employee Privacy Notice

The Jamaica Customs Agency (“The JCA”, “JCA”, “The Agency”), as an employer, has certain legal, contractual, and administrative obligations. In executing these obligations, we are committed to ensuring the utmost privacy and confidentiality of your information. What you expect when The JCA collects your information and the practices with regards to your information is covered in this privacy notice.

Please note that this privacy notice applies to the handling of your personal as an employee, former employee, candidate, guest or as external staff (“external staff” are workers who are not employed by the JCA but have access to JCA’s facilities and/or network. This includes, but is not limited to, temporary workers, outsourced staff, contractors, and business guests).

For the purposes of this privacy notice:

Personal data is information (however stored) relating to –

  • (a) A living individual; or
  • (b) An individual who has been deceased for less than thirty years,

Who can be identified from that information alone or from that information and other information in the possession of, or likely to come into the possession of, the data controller; and includes any expression of opinion about that individual and any indication of the intentions of the data controller or any other person in respect of that individual.

Sensitive personal data is personal data consisting of any of the following information in respect of a data subject –

  • (a) Genetic data or biometric data;
  • (b) Filiation, or racial or ethnic origin;
  • (c) Political opinions, philosophical beliefs, religious beliefs or other beliefs of a similar nature;
  • (d) Membership in any trade union;
  • (e) Physical or mental health or condition;
  • (f) Sex life;
  • (g) The alleged commission of any offence by the data subject or any proceedings for any offence alleged to have been committed by the data subject.

Processing in relation to information or personal data means obtaining, recording or storing the information or personal data, or carrying out any operations or set of operations (whether or not by automated means) on the information or data, including –

  • (a) Organisation, adaptation or alteration of the information or data;
  • (b) Retrieving, consulting or using the information or data;
  • (c) Disclosing the information or data by transmitting, disseminating, or otherwise making it available; or
  • (d) Aligning, combining, blocking, erasing, or destroying the information or data, or rendering the data anonymous.
To whom does this privacy statement apply?

The rights and obligations stated within this privacy notice will apply to all JCA employees (past, present, future), including contractual workers and interns. All staff members are required to comply with the framework established in this privacy notice.

It details how the JCA collects, uses, stores and shares personal data, in compliance with the Data Protection Act (2020) and other applicable privacy laws.

What personal data do we process and why?

The JCA processes categories of personal data for various employment-related purposes. These include the administration and management of your employment with the JCA, the provision of employment benefits, performance monitoring, ensuring accurate payments are made to you, providing training and development opportunities, and complying our legal obligations as an Executive Agency. Additionally, we may hold emergency contact information for you as a legitimate interest.

We may collect and process the following categories of personal data about you:

Personal details including your name, data of birth, nationality, photograph, employee ID number, employee username (where applicable), tax registration number (TRN), national insurance scheme (NIS) number, national forms of identification such as your voter’s ID, driver’s license, passport or visa.

Information regarding your family. We may gather information about your spouse, children, or other individuals if named as emergency contacts.

Education and work experience including details about your academic qualifications, skills, experience, employment history, and references provided and received.

Employment information including job title, business unit to which you are assigned, details about your employment contract with us (e.g., start date, contract type, remuneration package, etc.), employment benefits, periods of leave taken (e.g., vacation, casual/departmental, wellness, sick). Your financial details for the processing of salary payments.

Employment performance details such as performance assessment/appraisals, training records, promotions, employee reassignments/rotation, discipline, probation and details of any disciplinary or grievance procedures in which you have been involved. This also includes warnings issued to you.

Personal data may also be collected from third parties, such as referees, previous employers, and other relevant sources.

How will we use your personal data?

The JCA collects, maintains and uses personal data, including sensitive personal data, of employees solely for the intended purposes communicated at the time of original collection. These purposes facilitate the administration of your employment and includes aspects such as recruitment, training and development, reward and safety. Your personal data may also be used for security purposes as the JCA has a legitimate interest in keeping its systems and networks secure from any vulnerabilities.

The JCA ensures the lawful processing of employee data post-recruitment and acknowledges its obligations to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of all personal data in its possession.

Will your personal data be shared with anyone?

We may share your personal data in keeping with the original purpose for collecting and processing your personal data with internal and external stakeholders involved in the recruitment process, third-party services providers (e.g. Criminal Records Office), legal and regulatory authorities (as required by law).

If your personal data is to be transferred to a third party, outside of the original purpose for which it was collect and about which you were informed, we will obtain your written consent before disclosing.

Who will have access to your personal data?

Designated JCA personnel will, in the course of their duties, have access to your personal data. This access will not exceed what is necessary for the execution of the process for which it is used.

How long will the JCA retain your personal data?

Your personal data as a JCA employee will be collected and retained during your period of active employment as well as after the employment period, within legal or regulatory purposes, or for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims and any other proceedings.

How will we keep your data secure?

The JCA is committed to ensuring the privacy and security of your personal data. The JCA utilizes appropriate technical and organisational measures that have been implemented to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or deletion of personal data.

What are your rights?

You have the following rights as a data subject:

  1. The right of access to your personal data
  2. The right of rectification
  3. The right to restrict processing
  4. The right to object to processing
  5. The right to prevent processing for purposes of direct marketing
  6. The right to data portability
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