Minister of state in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Dr Norman Dunn, says that programmes put in place by the government to combat the economic effects of the COVID -19 pandemic have strengthened the island’s position in the region as a favourable business destination.

Dunn ws addressing the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) Workforce Readiness Forum on Thursday at Secrets Resort in St James, which held a panel discussion covering topics such as, ‘The initial and evolving impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Jamaican workforce’, and ‘Aspects of recovery for the post-pandemic labour market’.

He stated that the government’s combative measures to reduce the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have given greater incentive for more Jamaicans to live, work, raise families, do business, and retire in Jamaica.

“This government continues to pursue a bold and ambitious development agenda on behalf of all Jamaicans,” he said.

“We are pleased that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to provide significant buffers to confront and overcome many potentially disastrous social and economic outcomes with all the care programmes that this government instituted,” he added.

The state minister also pointed out that the government’s restructuring of the public sector compensation system is far advanced for the 2022 to 2025 period.

He added that the lowest scale earnings for public sector workers will be up to $1.3 million per annum and those at the highest will earn up to $24 million per annum.

In addition, Dunn went on to congratulate the organisation for hosting the event.

“I know well the importance of a vibrant, productive sector in keeping and in helping to create a more prosperous and sustainable business environment,” he said.

“Your facilitation of this dialogue will no doubt encourage more Jamaicans to take advantage of existing and emerging capacity-building opportunities and steer many others into profitable engagement through the enabling environment this ministry provides,” he added.

Meanwhile, president of MBCCI, Oral Heaven, noted that the forum should prove beneficial to employees and employers in attendance.

“Human capital is integral to the operation and survival of any business, the harsh reality though, is that workers are scarce,” he said.