THE EDITOR, Sir:THE ADMISSION by Senator Dwight Nelson that the Jamaican workforce is not ready for the activation of the CSME is an indictment not only against the state, but also against the trade union leadership. Efficient leaders all over the world, unless they live in outer space, recognise that there are global technological, economic, social, and political forces that are driving countries to unite under a larger collective in order to survive in an increasingly challenging world.
Small states just cannot survive when faced with disease, environmental disasters, and the effects of international terrorism, to mention a few dangers. So it appears to me that it is only leaders, who are visionless and or determined to maintain the outdated notions of independence and the illusions of sovereignty, who seem insistent on keeping their people ignorant and unprepared for the challenging times ahead.
Many Caribbean leaders seem adept at feathering their own nests, while leading their people to continue to be "hewers of wood and drawers of water", for them and for first world social groups. Interestingly many African nations seem to be particularly gifted in this process.
Shame on the Jamaican state and the trade union movement for not preparing the Jamaican workforce for the implementation of the CSME. Tell me, when will they be prepared, and who outside of Jamaica is to take the blame? And how much longer do you want the CSME to be delayed? Forever?
I am, etc.,
ALLAN CARTER
aicarter@yahoo.com
Barbados
Via Go-Jamaica
