CASH FOR JOBS
INITIATIVE
Open
letter to the government of Jamaica
For
many years some of us have been concerned about the lack of sustainable growth
in Jamaica and have lamented the seeming lack of initiative and foresight to
bring meaningful and innovative solutions to a situation where the available
resources beg to be utilized for the development of the country and the
empowerment of the people.
Unfortunately,
having found its “back against the wall” and in the grips of an IMF agreement,
we note the need for creative action as it relates to the fiscal management of
the economy. This being only a mere part of the solution we are heartened to
finally see a Cabinet policy decision being made for the creation of an
administrative and technical team specifically geared toward the Growth Agenda.
Having
for many years pondered the high unemployment levels and with the understanding
that the people of the country are our greatest resource and asset , the need
to have them all continuously employed has always been seen as a real
possibility with the development and implementation of a strategically designed
program with the relevant and associated sustainable projects.
The
Unite Jamaica People advocacy group recognize
that notwithstanding any other initiative, Jamaica will never break the cycle
of low growth unless it earns its way out of the shackles to which it is
currently enslaved. The only formula for such initiative is for the productive
engine of the country to be “jump started” where we produce enough, consume
some and export most to earn the foreign exchange we so vitally need (directly
or indirectly) to reduce our exposure.
The
concept of the Cash for Jobs initiative speak to one of the short term impact
projects under a NEW Program for assisting the Growth agenda of the country
.The general idea of the project seek to create a minimum of eight thousand new
permanent and sustainable jobs within the next nine (9) months by stimulating
existing businesses to employ persons commensurate with an interest free cash
injection into all registered companies participating in the project.
Interest
free loans would be made to private companies secured by debenture over the
business and the government of Jamaica and overseen by a special arm to be
created under the offices of the auditor general for the management and welfare
of the initiative. more
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