Public-sector reform could hurt JLP, says Vaz

Daryl Vaz, minister with responsibility for information, yesterday said the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) could pay a political price for its steps to reform the public sector.

The minister, who was speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet press conference, said the modernisation plans, which will result in the loss of 10,000 public-sector jobs, may not be a popular one among Jamaicans. He, however, said it was necessary and that the Government was being bold.

"I am committing on behalf of this government, under the leadership of and prime ministership of Bruce Golding, that these policies will be implemented and executed, and if it means that it is to our demise, then I can hold my head high and say I tried," Vaz said.

When fully implemented, the public-sector rationalisation plan is expected to result in $40 to $50 billion in savings for the country.

Vaz said the Golding administration has been forced to make bold steps since it took office in 2007 and has acted in the best interest of the country.

"Everything we have done in the last four years is what was best for Jamaica. A lot of the things we have implemented have been at great political cost and at great pain to the Jamaican people," Vaz said.