Dear Editor,

I’ve lived and worked in four countries, including USA and Canada, and I’ve never had a National ID of the sort now proposed by the Government of Jamaica.

In the USA, they have the Social Security Number and in Canada, Social Insurance Number. These numbers are the key drivers of individual identity. They are issued without photo, and are linked to other ID’s such as passport and drivers license.

In Canada some provinces issue an optional provincial ID for those who need an ID and don’t have a drivers license, however no personal detail such as race, employment is required.

In Jamaica, we have National Insurance (NIS), Tax Registration Number (TRN) and other forms of ID. I believe the current system could’ve been enhanced. For instance why not broaden the scope of TRN, change the name if necessary and link it to passports and NIS, as we do with drivers license? The ID database is already there, it just has to be enhanced.

What is being proposed by the Government, at a cost of $8 billion dollars (US$68 million), for a loan from Inter American Development Bank (IDB), which has to be repaid, is absurd, considering the country cannot even afford to provide adequate health services, education and social services.

I share the privacy concerns raised as well. If the Government wants demographic data, they should do what other countries do and invest in a comprehensive and accurate national census! They say that demographic data (such as race, religion, employment) collected through the NID will be optional. If so, what benefit is optional data if it isn’t complete? Will they use partial data to predict trends? As for the simplistic argument that visitors to USA are finger printed etc, so what?

Well, it is indeed the prerogative of the host country to screen visitors for security reasons and those who choose to visit know that. The USA does not fingerprint all citizens.

I’ve also heard the PM saying that 2.6 billion people in the world don’t have any form of national identity. Well, considering the world population is 7.6 billion, this is still not a convincing argument to justify the NID in its present format.

Although I do believe a form of national ID system in a country will help to manage the population better, I think we should enhance what is currently in place and not go overboard and abuse people’s right to privacy without proper debate and consultation.

I wouldn’t be surprised if fake IDs eventually surface. I am also concerned about the effects on the diaspora. Imagine, fines up to $100,000 could be placed on individuals who do not get the NID after the initial period of implementation!

We should be moving forward, not backward. If it took successive Governments 40 years to consider this NID Bill and a reported 168 amendments made (House of Representatives and Senate combined), this says a lot — too many issues and a waste of time and resources! Time to move on.

A Government that refuses to consult and listen to the concerns of its people won’t last long. Arrogance does not auger well for any Government, as history has repeatedly shown.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com