(Jamaica Observer) The Leader and President of the People’s National Party (PNP) Portia Simpson Miller yesterday hinged the party’s anticipated return to power on employment, telling the thousands of party supporters who congregated at the National Arena for the party’s 73rd annual conference, that it will establish the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) to drive economic development.
The proposed employment programme was among a raft of initiatives Simpson Miller unveiled, the release of which comes amidst criticisms that despite the launch of its much-touted Progressive Agenda — a document described by the party as the blueprint for a better Jamaica — the opposition party has not been able to convince Jamaicans that it has viable alternatives.
But in a near two-hour address yesterday in what she dubbed a national call to action, the party leader provided details of some of the programmes that would be implemented by her party.
Included in the proposed initiatives is a renegotiation of the existing standby loan facility with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the introduction of a major job creation apparatus named the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP).
“These are the actions the People’s National Party proposes for immediate implementation. The challenges in this country require a short-term national intervention programme to lift the difficulties we face. It also requires a longer term platform for sustained growth and development, the two must work together. Implementation and action must be the focus of these programmes. In the first instance, my government would approach the IMF to redesign and recraft the standy agreement,” said Simpson Miller.
The PNP president used significant portions of her presentation to address unemployment, which she says has worsened since the Bruce Golding administration took office in 2007. According to her, 100,000 Jamaicans have lost their jobs in the past four years.
“Comrades and fellow Jamaicans, while they fiddle and fumble, there have been rapid increases in unemployment among young people, unemployment among women, unemployment among the unskilled and among graduates of secondary and tertiary institutions. Comrades, you know the importance of having a job, jobs are avenues out of poverty. Being gainfully employed gives the people a sense of independence,” said Simpson-Miller as she provided details of the job creation plan.
“Comrades, we have called it the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP). We will be able to implement JEEP, and when we do this we will be able to drive the country to economic development and prosperity. Through JEEP, the PNP has identified opportunities for jobs and wealth creation in the immediate term, the medium-term and in the long-term. JEEP will be developed around six main areas; agro-processing, cultural and creative industries, including sports, micro and small business development, manufacturing, community transformation projects and Information and Communication Technology, ICT,” said the PNP President to rousing applause.
Simpson-Miller said her job creation initiative would be enhanced through partnerships with the private sector. According to her, such partnerships would result in the private sector receiving incentives for investments geared towards job creation.
“My comrades and fellow Jamaicans, at the centre of our plan is consultation, partnerships and dialogue as our Progressive Agenda states. We will consult, not insult, dialogue not monologue, engage not enrage. This is a fundamental difference between a People’s National Party Government and this particular Government that is now in office,” the party leader said.
While acknowledging that some of the current hardships are due to the global recession, the PNP president blamed much of the fallout on “the ineptitude of the Golding administration”.
My fellow Jamaicans, unemployment since 2007 was at 9.6 per cent, it is now 13 per cent, under this government. Poverty has risen sharply from 9.8 per cent when we left office to 20 per cent. Exports are down from US$2.8 billion in 2007 to US$1.3 billion last year,” she said.
Meanwhile, Simpson Miller said she had been listening to those criticising the PNP on its handling of the economy between 1992 and 2007. “In the 18 years, we had 15 years of economic growth, and in 2006 the economy grew by 3.5 per cent. The economy was growing as we reduced unemployment, the economy was growing as we were building highways, hotels, sports facilities and airports. The economy was growing as we built the transport sector and the alternative energy sector. The economy was growing as we were building schools, houses and as the business sector expanded,” she stated to thunderous applause from party supporters.
“Today my comrades, I call you to action. The PNP is progressive, the PNP is proud and now the PNP, more than ever, is ready for victory,” said a fired-up Simpson Miller to more frenzied applause.
