‘New mission’
Holness sets path to partnership for productivity, peace
Published:Monday | November 27, 2023 | 12:11 AMKimone Francis/Senior Staff Reporter
Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday used the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) 80th Anniversary Conference to set in motion “a partnership for productivity and peace”, noting that the last term and a half was centred on steadying the economic ship.
In an address to JLP supporters that appeared to be a compilation of messages previously delivered on Government and political platforms, Holness touched on topics that included economic stability, crime, education, public transportation, the privatisation of dumps, renewable energy, climate change, the environment, and a $40-billion road improvement project over the next two fiscal years.
“I’m talking to the people, each and every one of you before me, I’m having a personal conversation with you. But I’m also talking to the people who are listening all over Jamaica.
“I’m especially talking to those who may be frustrated with politics; who may feel that this is an exercise in futility. I especially crafted my message to reach out to them because they are an important part of our democracy and we cannot leave them out,” the JLP leader told the throng of Labourites inside the National Arena on Sunday.
Holness acknowledged disgruntled Jamaicans, many of whom have voiced frustration over the reduction in purchasing power and the high cost of living.
He said that it is the economy that will create the engine for prosperity but until it is “fixed” other challenges facing the collective cannot be addressed sufficiently.
Holness said because of this his administration has spent the first term and the greater part of this term on stabilising the economy, placing it on a “sustainable” path.
He said within the next two to three years every Jamaican will feel the benefits in some way.
He said this is felt in some quarters through the increase in the minimum wage and salaries under the public sector compensation review process, increased benefits in student loans, transportation subsidies, and benefits under the social housing programme.
The JLP leader also pointed to unemployment, noting that it is at the lowest it has ever been.
“When you have jobs, you get income; you can buy the amenities of life, you can save, you can invest, you can own property as a result and you’re on the path to prosperity. And so more Jamaicans by virtue of being employed is on the path to prosperity,” he said.
Holness said the next mission is to put Jamaica on the path to productivity and peace.
He said when he came to government in 2016, he promised to build a partnership to prosperity.
“The new mission for the Jamaica Labour Party is to build a partnership for productivity and peace,” he said.
Reiterating an address delivered in Rasta City, Tivoli Gardens on Friday, Holness said that two things currently threaten salary increases in the public sector – inflation and productivity.
He said if productivity is not increased to grow the GDP and increase revenue, salaries will not be sustainable.
“So every Jamaican now must be thinking about how I can become more productivity,” he said noting that Jamaicans need to be trained better with skills that are aligned to industry.
Pivoting, he said Jamaica cannot continue to be a society in conflict with itself.
“If it is one thing this administration must do, starting in this term and for the next term is to put measures in place to deal with the unabated violence that is like a disease; that is like an epidemic in our society,” he said.
Holness said a study has been commissioned, the results of which are expected next month.
“And when that study comes in we’re going to reorganise the Government to create and bring all the agencies that deal with families, communities, social development, parenting, we’re going to bring all of them together under one ministry,” he said, adding that a ministry focused on reducing violence is needed.