WE ARE somewhat reassured by the assertion from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Paul Robertson that the situation with respect to returning residents is not as bad as we had been earlier led to believe. While the Minister has not outrightly refuted the claims that a significant number of returning residents have been murdered since 1995 and that many have re-emigrated while others have it under consideration, he has painted a more upbeat and positive picture about the returning residents.
The returning residents are Jamaicans who migrated, mainly to Britain in the 1950s and 1960s, who worked hard, often under adverse circumstances, but never lost the dream to return home to settle. Fifty years on they have been doing just that, bringing with them the capital that they have accumulated.
Many of them claim, with a fair degree of legitimacy, that although their communities, whether in Leeds or Brixton, are a part of the itinerary of visiting Jamaican politicians full of exhortations for them to return home, very little is done to make them feel welcome once they have made the decision. They speak of onerous duties that literally have the effect of forcing them to repurchase the vehicles that they bring with them, of rip-offs from real estate agents and building contractors, of the lack of portability of medical and pension benefits, and of a general resentment of the visible signs of their success.
The authorities in refusing to do anything about the duties refer to rackets that existed with motorcars ostensibly brought by returning residents some of whom would "return" five or six times a year. But that was in another era when motor vehicles were difficult to come by and every subterfuge was used to beat the system. In the present liberalised climate it cannot be beyond our capacity to devise schemes which would lessen the import duties on motor vehicles brought in by returning residents.
As an aging population they have every reason to be concerned about giving up medical benefits at a time when they are susceptible to the ravages of ill health. This too is surely not incapable of redress. Quite apart from the money that they bring and the employment that their activities generate in many rural communities, the returning residents serve as a very useful leaven in our society.
They are coming home from well ordered societies and most are not prepared to tolerate the indiscipline and shoddy service that we take for granted. As such they represent a force for change and everything should be done to support and encourage them.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner.
