THE EDITOR, Sir:IN RESPONSE to the Gleaner Editors' Forum held in Montego Bay, I have to say that the Montego Bay business community has a serious problem with reality if they cannot find skilled workers for their organisations. Contrary to their beliefs, there are quite a substantial number of suitably qualified persons available to impact positively on companies operating within our local industries.
There are many Jamaicans, myself included, who have certificates, diplomas, degrees and work experience and are unable to find a SUITABLE JOB. Before assumptions are made that everyone is illiterate, have these companies created and offered:
1. An attractive salary package on which workers and their families can survive.
2. Internal training programmes to enhance the skills of existing workers.
3. Genuine concern for their workers' health, environmental and social welfare.
4. Avenues of self-development and upward social mobility.
5. Financial prosperity for every category of their workers.
Any company that has done something about these issues has a loyal, efficient, healthy and productive work team. In addition, these companies are able to attract skilled, suitable and qualified persons at any given time.
On the matter of foreign workers, if they are employed by a company, their rents are paid, motor vehicles are given, allowances are given, they are paid in foreign currency, etc. Why not do these for local workers?
On the point of the education system, is the local business community of Montego Bay actively involved in assisting schools in functioning to the best of their abilities? Every teacher teaches and they also have to eat!! Yes, we do have problems with our education system and students are failing. However, with our very scarce resources, Jamaica has done well. We need smaller classes that can make teachers focus more on the individual rather than on a group.
Have these firms sponsored a remedial English, math, etc. extra class with incentives for high performance? Have these firms sponsored programmes at HEART? Workers who are and have been working with your companies cannot afford school fees and "lunch money" for their children. Did you know?
We must work collectively to achieve instead of casting blame. Since 1962, we have been doing just that. Governments are here to initiate and lay foundations, it is up to us, the dwellers of the country, to build and add value to these initiations and foundations. "Do not ask what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country." We have adopted everything else from the Americans. Why not adopt this too?
P.S. I am sure this comment was done in English and I am a graduate of the Jamaican education system.
I am, etc.,
DAVID MICHAEL SAMUELS
davidsamuels1@yahoo.com
