Gear up for JEEP - Programme starting Wednesday with 700 jobs

PM knocks opposition’s criticism of Jamaica Employ

BY ALESIA EDWARDS Observer staff reporter alesiae@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, January 23, 2012

OCHO RIOS, St Ann — The governing People's National Party's (PNP's) much-talked-about Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) will be incrementally rolled out in seven parishes this week.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announced yesterday at the party's National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in this resort town on Jamaica's north coast that a small part of JEEP, in which 700 jobs are to be created, will be launched on Wednesday.

During its election campaign last year, the PNP promised that JEEP would not only create jobs, but spur investment, stimulate economic growth and ensure prosperity for all the people.

"Seven parishes we will be starting where 700 persons will shortly be put to work," Simpson Miller told the first NEC meeting since the party's victory in the December 29, 2011 general election.

"When we talk about JEEP, we are not joking about it, and the other ministries and ministers are working to ensure that as soon as we can, the other areas of the JEEP will be unveiled."

She mentioned that Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke is continuing discussions he started with both local and foreign investors so that more people can be put to work and for some areas in the agriculture sector to be revived.

Meanwhile, Simpson Miller said some members of the business community have reacted positively to her appeal for at least one qualified individual to be employed by the private sector under an initiative she dubbed 'Jamaica Employ'.

The prime minister made the appeal last Wednesday as she broke ground for ATL Autohaus' $13.5-m facility on Oxford Road in New Kingston and at the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Lasco factory in St Catherine.

"One businessman called to tell me that he's opening two stores to ensure employment as part of this request. Another, before I left the ATL groundbreaking, gave me his card and said 'I'm going to be taking on one person,'" Simpson Miller said.

She added: "We are getting a number of information, one man, a business person, called to say 'I'm going to be building a store so I can employ some people', and I want to thank all of those persons."

Opposition Leader Andrew Holness has criticised the Jamaica Employ initiative, describing it as a Band-Aid approach to the country's unemployment problems. Holness said a more sustainable approach that will provide long-term employment was needed.

In defending her appeal to the private sector, Simpson Miller sought to make it clear that she was not compelling the business people, but was making a call in the interest of the country.

"We have an awesome responsibility, and for those who feel that my appeal might be careless to ask the private sector to help create some jobs in partnership with the Government, then if it is not going to be done that way, how is it going to be done?" Simpson Miller said.

The prime minister said it was her belief that Government has a responsibility to help facilitate job creation in the country and she warned the Opposition to behave in a more responsible way.

"I hear the leader of the Opposition said they will be a strong Opposition... we expect you to be responsible and act in a very responsible way because if you don't, we will remind the country," Simpson Miller said.

She said while her party was in Opposition it acted in a responsible manner, pointing out that the Jamaican people and the best interest of the country were placed first.

She also sought to make it clear that the Jamaica Employ initiative would not replace the JEEP.

"They can say anything they want to say, curse what they want to curse, we promise jobs, we put it in our manifesto, it is in the Progressive Agenda and I still am repeating my call to the private sector; employ one professional," she said.

Simpson Miller said she would also be pushing for the Harmony Cove development project in Trelawny as well as several other projects across the country as she seeks to get the country back on a path of economic growth and development.

President of the People's National Party and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller addressing party functionaries during yesterday's National Executive Council meeting at Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort.

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COMMENTS (34)

Raymond Clarke
1/23/2012

I have a cousin, 34 years old, lives in a garrison. She is a die-hard supporter of a party. All the years I visited the garrison, nothing had changed, at best it was marginal changes, from zinc fence to semi-concrete. Every election she votes for the same party. 2 days after elections, where she campaigned and worked the said party, she called mi ah ask mi fi money. I ask her who she vote fa, she said XXX if life. I kindly told her I don't have it, and she should wait for her JEEP.

Linval Campbell
1/23/2012

To all the persons opposing JEEP including the opposition,should any Govt wait until the "BIG' investment come on stream to provide short term jobs? Dont these persons have to eat and pay their bills in the meantime?Are we forgetting that the great USA had to do the same right after the recession in order to restart the economy?Millions of miles of road,bridges and other public properties were upgraded in a JEEP-like way to provide persons with the means to earn while the economy bouce back.

Anthony Johnson
1/23/2012

@maroon C. I am dwl. these ppl are really a bandulu government. There are some ppl here still basking in the PNP victory and even saying "no angels died at green bay". Well even the now deceased Dudley Thompson said sorry for his utterances, but there are some who just don't learn or they are just not intelligent enough. JEEP is already going to crash into a light pole, probably that's why we are also taking about JE. The jeep pop in two. We better try find where the other part land (EP)

Izett Gordon
1/23/2012

I am always intrigued by the response of those who are employed, to this initiative intended to rapidly get others to work. It is a fact that the employed seem to forget that long term is not viable if no one survives the short term. I hope that as the JEEP travels the country the government will not lose focus on the long term future development of Jamaica. May we see sane minds making decisions in this vital stage of our development.

rohan thompson
1/23/2012

Bwoy KNG u lick di nail pan di head wid u first post, let them keep on wishing.

Elli Deedo
1/23/2012

Several of us seems to have taken the defeat of the Labourites for a joke; it is not a Joke. It could have resulted in a Mass burial of Labourites!. Holness who was hoping to be Prime Minister is very embarrassed amongst his family and associates; his dreams have turned to ashes. Can One Imagine?:) This defeat is showing signs of a total demolition of Labourites. Some are having symptoms of heart attack, high blood pressure.various stress related syndrome. It's not easy as easy as we think:

Elli Deedo
1/23/2012

Holness and his doomed JLP party must try to straighten their political controversy which have contributed a great deal to their defeat, and hop out of what we are doing as PNP. They have continued to exercise their quality of mediocre.Their un-acceptable handling of Mr henry's issue is another example of their inept attitude. Holness is still suffering from a PSYCHOLOGICAL depression because of the Un-expected defeat of his in-effecient political bathroom. We truly sympathize with him!!:

Blindmice Blindmice
1/23/2012

Can JEEP & JE be included in current talks with the IMF, as a Jamaican government economic policy to achieve economic growth??? Although lacking information/details on both programme; going by pronouncement from the government; they are major economic measures of the new government to get the economy growing. Serious question which needs to be ask….Is the press demanding more information so that the public can be fully informed ??

RED ANTS
1/23/2012

@Maroon C,I recall you saying after the election you would not return or send money to your family in Jamaica because your was defeated.Why you now making the giveaway be a problem to you? continue to stay away from Jamaica we can do without you.I notice the green bloggers are rising every time they see something about PS,the lick a cool off now it would seem.

ras london
1/23/2012

700 jobs in just under 4 weeks seems to be more than the previous administration created in 4 years.

Nejeeper KNG
1/23/2012

Asking the private sector to help create some jobs in partnership with the Government is not careless if you have ideas however just saying it for talk sake is careless. The appeal to the private sector will be they way you handle the public sector in these economic times. Let’s see if JEEP is an equal opportunity program for all Jamaicans or it is another social program design to further divides us for the sake winning elections.

Nejeeper KNG
1/23/2012

A business person called to say “I'm going to be building a store so I can employ some people', and I want to thank all of those persons." Business persons invest in new businesses for many reasons most of all to make a profit; so there must be a market for whatever that person intends to produce. If so they could have invested when the JLP was in power or it is the tribal thing? Will they be hiring Jamaicans or just comrades? Will there be any incentives for small and medium business?

maroon C.
1/23/2012

I said it b4 and here it goes, the give away start!! Who can say PS is not a woman/man of her word, she promises JEEP/programmer and now she is delivering, lol, Opposition i call on u b vigilant and keep the ppl abreast of the activities of this bandulu government, even though they will b using all the secret methods there of to hide their activities and once again run this country on an imaginary budget. Now that cash plus etc. is gone lets c what other scheme there will b. Gad help us!

enquiring mind
1/23/2012

Awaiting Wednesday's announcement of exactly what type of jobs will be offered to the 700 people in the 7 parishes. It will be interesting to see which 7 parishes were selected...

Adam Godson
1/23/2012

And all you people who are claiming that holness and Tufton are opposed to this and to that,did you read paragraph 11?
I am neither businessman,politician nor economist, but I would agree that an approach of merely appealing to businessmen to employ at least 1 person is not a sustainable basis for solving the country's unemployment problem.
And to those businessmen who all of a sudden are going to be opening up businesses,good luck to them.

Adam Godson
1/23/2012

@wanda woeman, you are already insinuating that the former Prime Minister might be opposed to creating jobs.
Sounds like the genesis of blame to me.
I had no doubt that you would be of the opinion that no angels died at Green Bay.
Might be those who are alleged to have said 'all labourite fi dead' might share the same view.

Gary Holness
1/23/2012

As I look at the JEEP, I see the PNP trying to pull off an Obama Stimulus Package. Like that package failed so too will the JEEP unfortunately. Who and How will the decisions be made for who gets work? How will this initiative create longterm investment? What markets are we targeting? What is the cost of this project? For how long will this be implemented? Sis. P, there are many questions that need to be answered. by the way, where is the media house when it comes to getting this information?

Elli Deedo
1/23/2012

Companies can only employ workers when there is a need for workers. If production is at a slow rate there can be no employment. Based on our present economic climate, the possibility of meaningful employment is not feasible. The Bauxite industries are not in operation, JPS is under pressure from the Administration, not sure how the cement company is doing; those are just about the few companies where people can obtain a decent salary. Petrojam is not employing. There is nothing in Crash jobs.

Luv Quest
1/23/2012

Technology was not as common during the crash-program era so I was unable to take pictures of the women and men sitting down under the Guinep tree wasting time and taxpayer’s money. This went on for years. Some people were getting two checks and some even had regular jobs that they were able to go to because they spent little or no time cleaning the streets. Now we can take pictures and videos of JEEP workers and upload them to the progressive agenda site for accountability. JEEP no free rides.

Cee Dubya
1/23/2012

Re Jamaica Employ:
"One businessman called to tell me that he's opening two stores to ensure employment as part of this request."
.
"...one man, a business person, called to say 'I'm going to be building a store so I can employ some people."
.
Was it that easy all along?
.
Re JEEP: What are the incentives of which the govt is looking to assure the private sector partners who participate in that initiative?

Mark Forbes
1/23/2012

@JChristian, your argument would make sense if you could point to ONE 'long term sustainable programme' of the JLP. All you are doing bro, is displaying what people are saying is the matter with the JLP : An inability to see where masses of this country are coming from. The people who have to settle for the short term in the hope that the long term will be better. Because if you don't survive the short term then the long term is of no account.

Jeffrey Thompson
1/23/2012

Mrs.Simpson Miller,this is the year of Jubilee,the masses hopes are high,you can't afford to disappoint them,continue to be a person of action and not a bag of mouth.Every step you make and every word you say,it must be seen to be directed at progress for the masses,no matter the slow start.
We the people are going to ensure that the right revolution gets underway this year,so please remember the little man with his ideas must also be accommodated,he/she will also have a vital role to play.

Richie L
1/23/2012

Part 2
.
Make them into real businesses with quality infrastructure and management. For example, at Dunn’s River, there is no proper place to change clothing. The lockers to store items are inadequate.
What if there was investment in these things? You can charge people more to rent lockers for example and it would add to the quality of service delivered.
To access Boston Beach is to drive over some of the worst roads in Jamaica.
.
Cont.

diehardr sickheads
1/23/2012

Pnp always have good ideas until the tribalist take it over.To be apart of jeep all you may have to prove is that you did not vote for the jlp.parish council elections is near so this can be used as a campaign strategy. 700 jobs not a bad idea.

carlos king
1/23/2012

It boggles my mind how anyone in his or her right mind can oppose the creation of jobs for Jamaicans. Messrs Holness and Tufton should tread very carefully. What is so wrong with the PM's suggestion for the Private Sector to create at least one viable job? For those who're employed, do you have any idea how many college graduate are unemployed? They're actively seeking work but can't find any. What do you expect them to do? Continue living off their parents generosity? Jamaicans demand jobs! NOW

Hotta Fire
1/23/2012

JEEP and Jamaica Employ are 2 separate initiatives... Both are steps in the right direction... Public&Private sector working together to build Jamaica...

Anthony II
1/23/2012

II. The PM is asking businesses to employ one professional. Is that "job creation"? I really think JA is in a big mess and it is going to need some big forklifts to extricate it.
.
I would ask the government and the PM, in particular, to have a press conference at which the PM spells out exactly what JE and JEEP are and what her notions of "job creation" are. I would hate to think that calling upon businesses to hire people "in the national interest" would be viewed as "job creation."

Jay Henry
1/23/2012

I'll create my own car, jeep or whatever. these re-distribution
tendencies of this govt will go nowhere.will the jeep program be like what I saw at harbour view- 1 person sweeping, 6 holding the garbage bag to full it then collecting tax payers money

wanda woeman
1/23/2012

@Adam Godson, NO ANGELS DIED AT GREEN BAY. Did any die at Tivoli Gardens?
Who have you heard laying blame? If you want to talk about blame, see the JLP and specifically Messrs. Vaz, Henry and and Shaw.
You are tilting at windmills, my dear Sir and are still rankling at your defeat, but time heals all sorrows.

Adam Godson
1/23/2012

fit to remove the JLP and reward the pnp with 18 consecutive years of power, your pnp, will probably get at least 28 consecutive years in office this time around.
My question to you is,if at this early stage you are already finding excuses and seemingly laying blame at other's feet, how far into the probable 28 years will you still be making excuses and trying to lay blame on others?
And do YOU think any angels died at Green Bay?

John Christian
1/23/2012

This type of employment programme is the "crashie programme of the year...this is what the PNP is very good at...appease the masses witrh smoke and mirrors...long term sustainable programmes is not their forte....so 700 comrades will be happy...

Nicolas Henry
1/23/2012

I will lift up my eyes unto the hills for help;my help cometh from Portia who have all the answers. I wish all parties good luck.
A busines man will only employ,when they see the need to. They will not do so because a politician say so.
Now the name is changing from JEEP to JA employ, is this a ploy to take attention of the JEEP? Are labourite voters qualified or licensed to drive the JEEP if it starts? Is this going to be operation pride all over. These are questions that should be answered.

wanda woeman
1/23/2012

Why did A.H. come out in “defense” of employers last week when the PM’s asked them to employ one additional qualified person, instead of allowing them articulate their own objection to the matter? If he has to be critical he might ask what is the opportunity cost of those jobs. Is the govt giving to the P.S.something which could be better utilized elsewhere? Surely it cannot be that the Opposition is against people getting jobs.
Is the party going to oppose for opposition sake? They have to be careful of how they behave in opposition this time around because the ppl are watching and they might well find themselves in the wilderness for longer than they want to be.

Cece Bent
1/23/2012

I am really hear laying down wondering even though i am gearing up myself and preparing, will I get picked up by the Jeep? As university graduates we are forced to take all that come our way. Very good initiative, looking forward to it.

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Gear up for JEEP - Programme starting Wednesday with 700 jobs