Letter of the Day | Fixing Jamaica is more than fixing economy

THE EDITOR, Sir:

In the recent June 17 Gleaner article titled ‘PM stands firm’, Prime Minister Andrew Holness proclaimed that “his Government is solely focused on the real threats on the institutions of our society,” and identified these as “poverty and a lack of economic growth for the mass of the people”. The PM specified that the Government’s priority is to address the issue of poverty in our country: by eliminating poverty from our land, creating economic growth, and providing jobs.

Holness went further to say that the current public discourse on issues regarding abortion, obeah, and definitions of sexuality will not distract him from his main goal of economic growth. The PM, in the interview, relegated current political mobilisation on these matters as debates to be facilitated in light of our country’s democracy and not as serious matters to be prioritised.

I wish to remind the PM that the threats to our society’s institutions are not economic but socio-economic.

Therefore, as chief director of the policies and programmes that guide our country’s development, it is his duty to actively address both social and economic issues. Failing to recognise and act on the double nature of our nation’s woes is inexpedient if PM Holness truly wishes to engender prosperity for all Jamaicans:

“Talk about abortion, obeah, and definitions of sexuality by people in the country” should not be viewed as mere distractions, because they have real implications for our country’s development. Such ‘talk’ reflects the real-life precariousness facing many vulnerable Jamaicans, and these matters are worthy of being addressed.

Systemic and cultural discrimination – including those against women’s reproductive rights, non-Christian religious beliefs and non-conforming sexual and gender identities – continue to enfeeble our country’s economic productivity. For example, discrimination and bigotry make the workplace inhospitable. And cross-cultural incompetence gives rise to bullying in schools, which lowers our human capital.

PROTECT THE VULNERABLE

PM, it is your duty to protect the vulnerable and to create a cohesive society premised on ‘true respect for all’ so we may realise our fullest economic potential.

This economic potential cannot be realised if we solely focus on economic growth as touted by higher GDP [gross domestic product] or by a lower employment rate and debt-to-GDP ratio. As history proves, such an approach leads to economic disparity and social unrest. Economic growth without wealth redistribution – ­attention to labour rights, accessible social security, and the availability of meaningful work – results in milieus of violence where the incidence of homicides, rape and larceny is rampant.

Although Holness’ stated prioritises make me anxious, I am heartened that the PM recognises his responsibility to “hear what the people are saying”. I am hopeful when he states that his “ears are always on the ground, and [that he] will do what the people want [him] to do.” Let me remind the PM that the people he is obligated to serve also include the most vulnerable.

B. Norman