The Editor, Sir:
The current wave of salary negotiations taking place carried between the Government and the various public sector bodies suggest that beneath all this lies a far more fundamental problem - that of a lack of disposable income for the majority of the labour force in Jamaica. The disproportion that exists between the cost of living index and net annual or monthly income of the majority of the nation is pitiful.
It can no longer be about salary increases, but moreso a drastic decrease in inflation and more importantly, a monumental increase in the growth of the economy. The Government must now assiduously work at literally 'growing' the economy so that this can redound to the benefit of the labour market.
When the late Michael Manley spoke of orchard farming, he definitely was on the right track. At this point in Jamaica's evolution, we should be exporting fruit juice concentrate to the four corners of the earth. Instead we are importing it in unspeakable amounts. This is just one tiny aspect. Despite our vulnerability to tropical storms, we must develop a vibrant agro-industry economy. Space and time does not permit to begin to list the ways in which this could be done.
We MUST create and develop an economy that offers decent employment opportunities and lucrative salaries for our nationals. I am positive that numerous policies and programmes have been penned on this topic. It is time to implement. We need a Ministry of IMPLEMENTATION to dust off the programmes and reports and take action. Enough has been said , discussed, debated and written. We know what to do.
After 44 years of Independence, the time for action is now for the half century is upon us. For when we begin to write the other half, we must be able to give a good report.
Over to you, Madam Prime Minister and your Cabinet.
I am, etc.,
MELROSE EDWARDS
melly_ja@hotmail.com
Kingston 6
