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Published: Monday | October 31, 2011 1 Comment
Livern Barrett, Gleaner Writer Seeking to determine whether the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), the Opposition's much-heralded job-creation vehicle is viable, the Jamaica Manufacturers' Asso-ciation (JMA) has sought dialogue with the leadership of the People's National Party (PNP) to discuss the proposal.
JMA Deputy President Metry Seaga says while the idea "seems good", the association is concerned that there is no information about the commensurate costs attached to the proposal.
"We simply don't know if it can work," said Seaga, who was one of several business leaders who attended a recent Gleaner Editors' Forum.
"We have invited the PNP to come to the JMA and present JEEP to us for us to see if they are viable options," he added.
Seaga said the PNP has contacted the JMA and plans are being made to schedule the meeting.
More than a month since the initiative was first announced by PNP President Portia Simpson Miller at the party's annual conference, the nation is yet to here the details of the proposed job-creation programme.
Details finalised
In her address, Simpson Miller said JEEP would create employment across a wide spectrum of skills and industries.
Party officials say the details of the proposed job-creation initiative are now fine-tuned and an announcement will be made soon.
However, speaking at the Gleaner forum, businessman Carvel Stewart cautioned that JEEP would not be valuable if it is a "short-term thing".
"If it has middle- and long-term implications, then it would be valuable," he argued.
"But if all it is going to target is a one-year or two-year or three-year thing, then that is not what we looking for now. We looking for a long-term thing," Stewart said.
However, president of the Young Entrepreneurs Association, Samuel Coates, believes JEEP is a good concept that will help to alleviate the country's unemployment problem.
"There is a lack of hope. People feel like there are no opportunities, like there is nothing here for them and sometimes this is where the Government can help to alleviate that kind of situation," said Coates.
Despite his concerns, Seaga said if it is found that JEEP can be successful in creating jobs, the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) should embrace it and implement it "right away".
"Politics have mashed up this country for too long. We have allowed our politicians to play political football with the important issues and we need to stop it," the deputy JMA president said.
Livern Barrett, Gleaner Writer Seeking to determine whether the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), the Opposition's much-heralded job-creation vehicle is viable, the Jamaica Manufacturers' Asso-ciation (JMA) has sought dialogue with the leadership of the People's National Party (PNP) to discuss the proposal.
JMA Deputy President Metry Seaga says while the idea "seems good", the association is concerned that there is no information about the commensurate costs attached to the proposal.
"We simply don't know if it can work," said Seaga, who was one of several business leaders who attended a recent Gleaner Editors' Forum.
"We have invited the PNP to come to the JMA and present JEEP to us for us to see if they are viable options," he added.
Seaga said the PNP has contacted the JMA and plans are being made to schedule the meeting.
More than a month since the initiative was first announced by PNP President Portia Simpson Miller at the party's annual conference, the nation is yet to here the details of the proposed job-creation programme.
Details finalised
In her address, Simpson Miller said JEEP would create employment across a wide spectrum of skills and industries.
Party officials say the details of the proposed job-creation initiative are now fine-tuned and an announcement will be made soon.
However, speaking at the Gleaner forum, businessman Carvel Stewart cautioned that JEEP would not be valuable if it is a "short-term thing".
"If it has middle- and long-term implications, then it would be valuable," he argued.
"But if all it is going to target is a one-year or two-year or three-year thing, then that is not what we looking for now. We looking for a long-term thing," Stewart said.
However, president of the Young Entrepreneurs Association, Samuel Coates, believes JEEP is a good concept that will help to alleviate the country's unemployment problem.
"There is a lack of hope. People feel like there are no opportunities, like there is nothing here for them and sometimes this is where the Government can help to alleviate that kind of situation," said Coates.
Despite his concerns, Seaga said if it is found that JEEP can be successful in creating jobs, the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) should embrace it and implement it "right away".
"Politics have mashed up this country for too long. We have allowed our politicians to play political football with the important issues and we need to stop it," the deputy JMA president said.
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