Jamaicans anxious ahead of IMF meeting

With the much-anticipated arrival of a team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) tomorrow, Jamaicans are eager to hear the result of what the negotiations will bring.

During a recent tour of Coronation Market, The Gleaner asked shoppers and vendors what they thought of the negotiations. Some were optimistic the nation would get "a good deal". But most lamented how previous deals have gone.

"Mi nuh si how wi benefit inna any way," said Leroy Johnson, a labourer. "A di poor people always feel it di mos' wid di tax dem wha dem put on."

Johnson said he felt the tough economic conditions were already being seen in the market, where he said fewer people were shopping.

"Is a burden wi tek on," he said. "Wi shouldn't did go back to dem afta wi did pay off di last time," he said.

Shernett Williams, a vendor, agreed.

"Wi already in debt and wi a live, don't it? Wid dis new deal, I don't t'ink is less wi going to pay."

She and others thought Jamaica should try to find an alternative to the IMF.

"If wi can do betta, I don't t'ink wi should tek anoda deal," said a vendor. "I t'ink wi would be better off."