Roland Booth, Contributor
AFTER READING an excerpt from a speech made by Senator Chris Tufton in the State of the Nation Debate, I could understand why the learned Senator was concerned as to where are the jobs. There is a possible explanation and I would like to provide that explanation and some analysis.
Two quotes from the article, in The Sunday Gleaner of February 19, 2006 under the headline 'Where are the Jobs?', read as follows.
"I challenge the Government, through its research agency, STATIN, and the PIOJ to probe further, in the interest of truth and better planning, to understand this group. We need the facts so we can begin to address the problem."
"Of the over 665,000 persons 14 years and over who fall outside the labour force, 325,000 fall in the 'did not want to work' category, and this is increasing - from 288,000 in 2002 to 301,000 in 2003."
Please note I do not support or condone any of these professions I am about to outline as I am just presenting a case.
When a field officer attempts to ask persons what they do, the responses cannot be noted or voiced due to their sometimes illegitimate or unacceptable nature. However it seems clear that a lot of people, especially the youth, are involved in these areas.
Here are a few:
HUMAN TERMINATORS AKA: GUNMEN
For the right price and conditions, they will terminate or shoot or just threaten.
Requirements: Steady hand, ability to shoot well, drive and or ride (powerful motorcycles) skilfully, explosives expert (just in case a car/house needs to be burnt), access to a white Toyota motor car for drive-by shootings and finally, the ability to liaise with the wrong cops in the police force is an asset.
Comments: A small number but no one is sure. They could number in their hundreds. Lifespan is usually 30 years.
PROFESSIONAL FUND-RAISERS AKA: BEGGARS
Involved in raising funds by generating a credible story of need.
Requirements: Psychology (use of babies and wheelchairs to bring a feeling of pity)
Comments: Thousands. One threatened to sue The Star for loss of income after his revenue fell after it was discovered that he could walk, even if it was with crutches. There are few genuine ones.
TRANSPORTER AKA: THIEF
Move any product or good once the price is right. This includes containers, 'dried herbs', cows, motor cars, and auto parts, you name it.
Requirements: Mechanical engineering, Work in darkness, work late nights and ability to work long hours, physics (must be able to get a grown cow in a Toyota Townace) and allow things to disappear without a trace.
Comments: If you have not suffered at the hands of these in some way, that would be strange. They are everywhere, in the offices, buses and on the streets.
BACK UP MAN AKA: HUSTLER
Gently encourage and sometimes forcibly get commuters to full the buses or taxis at the transport depots.
Requirements: Marketing, pychology and ability to pack seven or eight persons in a vehicle for five.
Comments: Thousands employed and the field is getting crowded as they can be found at every bus terminus or major transport depot or point islandwide. Talk about productivity, they earn based on what they produce.
PROFESSIONAL MISTRESS AKA: UNPRINTABLE
Manage two or more men at the same time. They are always travelling to see an aunt (of course another man).
Requirements: Psychology, physiology, communication skills, must be able to spot the right man to take advantage of.
Comments: No number is really known but this could be in the thousands. They are always wearing the latest styles in clothing, shoes, nails and hair. They are often seen in their numbers at late night parties. There is also a rise in the number of the male counterparts to this profession.
PROFESSIONAL GAMBLER AKA: N/A
Along with betting on English, American and local horse racing, they also provide coverage and in-depth analysis of this sport. They are early risers and the last ones to close the bars. There are others that know every number that has played since the lottery returned to Jamaica.
Requirements: Statistics, risk analysis and management skills.
Comments: Betting shops are like bars in Jamaica they are everywhere and the numbers employed in this area must be in the thousands. The neatest lines can be found at lottery outlets islandwide.
COMMUNITY WATCHMAN AKA: N/A
Responsible for keeping an eye out for intruders, police or others and sounding an alarm.
Requirements: Dog-like ears (to pick up police frequencies), owl and eagle's eyes, (ability to see the enemy, including the police, from a mile off).
Comments: Numbers are unknown; the DCP Marc Shields discovered them in Tivoli.
HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICER AKA: COMMUNITY LEADER, DON
Organise community treats and threats, back-to-school funding, and other fund-raisers. Provide protection for your home or office from those who request it. Please do not use the word extortion. You request assistance, they help. If you don't, well they are not responsible for what happens to your home or business place.
Requirements/skills: Management, human resource development, must be a people person
Comments: Threatened with extinction through Operation KingFish and human terminators but still present in a smaller scale. The death of these individuals usually ignites protests, riots and chaotic situations.
CROWD MULTIPLIERS AKA: POLITICAL SUPPORTERS
At a moment's notice they can don or burn their orange or green shirts. They are available any hour of the day in any parish once transport is provided.
Requirements: Ability to wave flags, dance and sing if necessary. Strong men needed to carry political leaders aloft in the air when needed. Often seen too when homeland security officers or alleged human terminators are killed.
If you know any of those professions that would not qualify for the official STATIN (i.e. Government) employment survey, please let me know.
I have suggested why that was the best answer for many of those 325,000 as they are otherwise 'employed'. No wonder unemployment is down.
Roland Booth is an Internet technical specialist (Gleaner Online). Email him at Roland.Booth@gleanerjm.com.
