Dear Editor,

No Government by itself, of whichever party, will extract Jamaica from the economic recession we are now experiencing. It will therefore be up to every Jamaican, at home and abroad, to find ways in which we can tackle the biggest threat to national stability — growing unemployment.

I wish, therefore, to renew a recommendation which I made in anticipation of our 50th anniversary of Independence, to cauterise the haemorrhage of male unemployment which threatens our future.

To begin with, we need to put a name to every unemployed male face that is out there. We need names and addresses of these idle hands that the devil will be only too happy to employ.

Next, as it is an accepted fact that every piece of property has an owner, the Government should therefore launch an islandwide “beautify your building” painting programme to encourage these owners to repaint their buildings, including fences; similar to the energy displayed for our Labour Day projects. This will utilise the manpower of these unemployed males. We can start with business establishments and in the downtown area first.

Owners who are absolutely unable to do their own painting project should be able to obtain soft loans from the Government to facilitate same. The paint manufacturers, in light of the anticipated volume, could reduce their sale prices as part of their contribution to the national effort. The workforce, whom we would now know by name, would be deployed under the stewardship of an older head, preferably a skilled painter.

Can you imagine how exhilarating it would be to the flagging Jamaican spirit to see all parish capitals consisting of cheerfully coloured buildings, as well as giving these young men — whom I see in our courts daily expressing their desire to be employed and able to provide for their children — a chance to share in producing this beautification effect.

I can hear the naysayers: “What happens when we’ve finished painting?” The answer is, we turn to repairing derelict or abandoned buildings, repairing rural roads; the fact is we simply keep finding work for idle hands, and it all starts with a coat of paint.

Finally, and most importantly, it would demonstrate to the rest of the country that the more privileged members of society — property owners — are prepared to play their part in preserving “Jamaica, land we love”.

Howard Hamilton, CD, QC, JP

Kingston