Gordon Robinson | What’s good for the goose ...

On February 22, 1962, Premier Norman Washington Manley, on Jamaica’s behalf, signed a seminal agreement between Jamaica and USA.

It involved the Peace Corps and provided for young American volunteers to work in Jamaica in key areas of national development. Peace Corps was founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. Its website states:

“Our commitment to service in Jamaica began on February 22, 1962, when Premier Norman Washington Manley signed an agreement with the United States Government inviting the Peace Corps to start a program in Jamaica. On June 12 of that year….the first group of Volunteers arrived in Jamaica. That group of 37 Volunteers worked in many fields, including agriculture, vocational education, library development, construction, electricity, and plumbing. By 1963 there were about 100 Volunteers serving in Jamaica.”

Peace Corps operates in 142 other countries, in its own words, “promoting world peace and friendship.” Save for a two year gap during COVID-19, Peace Corps workers maintained continuous presence in Jamaica for 64 years. Over 4,000 volunteers served since the inaugural group.

Peace Corps is funded by USA Government, through annual appropriations from Congress. Volunteers are paid a monthly living allowance tailored to local costs and a readjustment allowance upon completion of service.

Jamaican Government doesn’t pay these workers one cent nor does it have any control over or knowledge of their travel status details.

According to https://www.uwlax.edu/peace-corps/discover-the-peace-corps/

“Peace Corps partners with communities abroad to develop sustainable solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges by sharing America’s most precious resource - its people.

“Peace Corps Volunteers carry out people-to- people public service and citizen diplomacy at grassroots level. Drawn from all corners of [USA] , Volunteers work to address challenges in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health, and youth development across the globe.”

While in Jamaica, Peace Corps workers tend to assimilate into the culture including living with host families to foster deep integration and trust. Over 45 years ago, I met one beautiful, intelligent young female Peace Corps worker from Wisconsin who eventually married a Jamaican she met here.

Recently, US Embassy posted the following:

“On May 20, 2025, Peace Corps Jamaica proudly welcomed three new Response Volunteers who will serve for one year in the Education and Agriculture sectors. These dedicated individuals will engage in short-term, high-impact programs at both parish and national levels, contributing to ongoing development and sustainability efforts in Jamaica.

Peace Corps Jamaica has a rich history…. the first group of Volunteers arrived on June 12, 1962. Since then, over 4,000 Volunteers have served on the island, working alongside Jamaicans to enhance sustainable farming practices and improve literacy in rural communities. The Peace Corps continues to send U.S. Volunteers to Jamaica…”

Peace Corps workers have been invaluable to Jamaica’s development. When I was at Campion College in 1960s, among my most inspirational teachers were two Peace Corps workers, Thomas “Whitty” White and John Gannon. I’ll never forget that, when I underwent an emergency appendectomy while in third form they were my first hospital visitors.

But I wonder if closer scrutiny of the arrangement might be considered “untenable” under Jamaican labour laws? While Peace Corps workers fled Jamaica in 2020 due to COVID fears, Cuban Healthcare workers arrived in droves to help.

Suddenly, mealy-mouthed apologists are warbling on about labour laws. Government must stop waffling and tell us SPECIFICALLY what terms of the Government to Government agreement with Cuba breaches local labour law. How is it possible for an arrangement between Cuba and Cuban citizens to breach Jamaican law? Does the arrangement between Peace Corps workers and USA Government breach Jamaican law?

Or do puss and dawg not have the same luck?

Time for a perfect segue to a classic Haemorrhoid Shaggy Dog Tale told to convince Dessie not to attack the Dunce for cutting his own double when Dessie did it the game before.

“But we won that game” Dessie protested. Haemorrhoid was undaunted:

Three Irishmen are sitting in the pub window seat, watching the front door of the brothel across the road. The local Methodist Pastor appears; and quickly goes inside.

“Would you look at that!” says the first Irishman. “Didn’t I always say what a bunch of hypocrites they are?”

No sooner are the words out of his mouth than a Rabbi appears at the door, knocks, and goes inside. The second Irishman says “Another one trying to fool everyone with pious preaching and stupid hats!”

They continue drinking beer; roundly condemning the Vicar and Rabbi when their own Catholic priest knocks on the door.

“Ah, now dat’s sad” says the third Irishman. “One of the girls must’ve died.”

Apparently, sometimes, what’s good for the goose isn’t also good for the gander. Good on Mexico for giving the school bully the middle finger and keeping its Cuban medical programme.

Peace and Love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com