KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica Labour Party spokesman on Science, ICT & Digital Society Development, Dr Andrew Wheatley, today outlined the party’s10-point plan for the development of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

In a news release, Dr Wheatley said the JLP is committed to pursuing and implementing the proposals contained in the plan as they will facilitate “significant investments, generate economic growth and create jobs” for Jamaicans.

“The JLP considers the ICT Sector one of the main drivers of economic growth and we recognise how important it is to place greater attention on extracting the direct and indirect economic benefits that may be derived from a focused ICT strategy,” he said.

According to Dr Wheatley, the next JLP Government will:

1. Establish true universal access by providing free Internet access to essential government and educational services for every citizen.

2. Introduce eHOME: (The Electronic Home-Office Mode of Employment).

This “work from home” initiative will, among other things, boost productivity, empower workers and generate cost savings to both employees and the government.

3. Make Jamaica the Caribbean’s leading producer of technology, not just consumers of technology, by creating a Technology Innovation Fund (TIF) to provide sustainable financing of technology-based projects and start-ups.

4. Work closely with the Ministry of Education to ensure holistic, efficient and effective use of technology to support teaching and learning as well as improved education administration throughout the system.

5. Collaborate closely with the new Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation to broaden support for business process outsourcing (BPO), beyond just call-centre services, so employment opportunities for university graduates and professionals are expanded.

6. Drive better ICT governance practices throughout government to make it more efficient and make information more accessible, including use of the corps of young people trained through the National Service Programme and National Apprenticeship Programme.

7. Repeal the 15-year0old Telecommunications Act and replace it with a new ICT Act. Harmonise all relevant ICT legislation to ensure cohesion across the regulatory elements of ICT to create a more modern fit for purpose framework, including creation of a single ICT regulator.

8. Promulgate and pass into law: Data Protection, Data Privacy & Sharing Acts.

9. Drive the review, repeal and update of the Electronic Transactions Act with its subsequent reassignment to the technology (ICT) portfolio.

10. Introduce comprehensive e-Waste Management policy and legislation to establish protocols for the recycling, rehabilitation, re-use and proper disposal of such electronic waste as: laptop and desktop computers, tablets, cellular telephones, television sets, radios, air conditioning units, refrigerators, batteries, and other household appliances.