Jamaicans in US want focus on job creation, investments
NEW YORK, USA — A major focus on increased job opportunities, particularly for young people and investments is among the top issues Jamaicans across the United States are expecting from a new administration.
Roy Nugent, who heads the National Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organisations, has urged whichever party is victorious after tomorrow’s general election “to focus on programmes that will finally break the unemployment cycle, especially among the youth population”.
To help achieve this, Nugent has called for a joint public-private sector partnership “that will provide job training”. He also wants an end to the practice whereby a change of government brings an end to the projects of the losing party.
“I hope that there will be a continuation of those programmes which have proven beneficial,” he said.
Wayne Golding, who chairs the Diaspora Advisory Board for the southern United States, also pleaded for “a continuation of those programmes that have worked, and are working”.
“The parties need to show maturity and move away from the practice for the good of the country,” he said, arguing that any such move could affect the gains made under the agreement with the International Monetary Fund.
Golding said he also expected the new administration to “focus on improving and creating an atmosphere that will attract investments and is attractive to investors.”
Patrick Beckford, a former diaspora board member for the north-east US, would like to see implementation of “ social intervention programmes”.
He, too, expects that whichever party wins Thursday will focus heavily on job creation and employment opportunities.
The head of the New York chapter of Generation 2000, an affiliate of the Jamaica Labour Party, Partrick Callum listed job growth, crime reduction and “a greater engagement with the diaspora”, as areas his group expects to be addressed.
At the same time, tomorrow’s election is generating a high interest among Jamaican nationals here.