Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness has as soon as once more hinted at the opportunity of importing expert staff to handle the scarcity of staff on the island.
A number of enterprise leaders within the non-public sector together with Chairman of the Margaritaville Caribbean Group Ian Pricey and Deputy Chairman of Chukka Caribbean John Byles have lately referred to as for the federal government to contemplate implementing a program to import expert labor to satisfy the demand, particularly within the hospitality sector.
Whereas talking on the launch of a brand new US$30-million manufacturing line at Pepsi-Cola Jamaica Bottling Firm, Holness addressed the prospect of a coverage for the importation of expert labor.
“There are calls in sure quarters within the non-public sector who say Jamaica could very properly have to contemplate if its financial development potential continues at this tempo; that we could should have a program of managed entry of staff from abroad to complement our labor drive”, Holness stated.
“If we proceed to develop and our development base will increase, we are going to burn up those that are outdoors (the labor drive), perhaps within the subsequent 5 years, six years, and even 10 years; however you may’t wait until that time sooner or later to make insurance policies for that point. You need to be considering forward,” he argued.
He acknowledged that the importation of staff to Jamaica is a controversial idea, however urged critics to contemplate the alternate options earlier than dismissing the thought.
“I actually hope that Jamaica’s commentators take the time to analysis earlier than they touch upon this concern as to the varied development methods that had been employed prior to now and that our neighbors round us are using,” Holness stated.
The Prime Minister stated the island’s present labor scarcity is a “nationwide emergency.”
Report unemployment fee
His feedback come in opposition to the background of Jamaica’s file unemployment fee of 4.5 p.c, in line with information from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) launched in August.
Nevertheless, in line with Holness, the unemployment fee doesn’t take note of Jamaicans who aren’t on the lookout for work or who’ve in any other case opted to remain outdoors the labor drive. He stated these residents are normally those who get caught up in unlawful actions.
“They’re those who’re getting themselves into issues. They’re those committing crime, and they’re the victims themselves,” he stated.
The Prime Minister stated his administration needs to get all residents who can work to develop a piece ethic and expertise that make them practical.
Learn: Jamaica Opposition voices concern over plans to import skilled labor
