THE EDITOR, Sir:JAMAICA NEEDS to formulate and implement a national migration policy as a matter of utmost urgency.
This is long overdue and we might even be closing the gate after the horse has escaped but something must be done now as the ad hoc, laissez-faire approach towards migration, of the past, has failed.
I am not suggesting a policy of restriction on emigration although there may be certain situations in which this might have to be considered. Conversely, in certain situations, immigration might have to be encouraged. The benefits which may accrue from the presence of a good corporate immigrant or a few dozen highly skilled individual immigrants will certainly more than compensate for the exodus of a few hundred unskilled and perhaps unemployed and disgruntled citizens.
A national migration policy though implemented by the government should ideally have multi-partisan, multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary input. It could provide an excellent opportunity for our universities to display their research skills, their vision and their pragmatism by making a significant input.
To be effective such a policy should take cognisance of the reasons for or causes of migration (especially outward migration) and its effect upon the country and initiate steps to extract the maximum benefits from migration both for the country and the migrants.
Stemming the current brain-drain, facilitating the resettlement of returning Jamaicans and encouraging our nationals resident abroad to invest here are examples of matters which would fall within the scope of the proposed policy.
Countries as different economically, politically and geo-politically as Cuba and Singapore have easily identifiable migration policies designed to enhance their own perceived national objectives. Jamaica, too, needs a distinctive migration policy.
To the extent that migration touches and concerns every Ministry a strong argument could be advanced for the establishment of a Ministry of Migration. It is suggested, however, that in the meantime a migration think tank and a small Migration Policy Unit be established without delay preferably as part of the Prime Minister's Office.
I am, etc.,
BERESFORD HAY
P.O. Box 1191
Kingston 8
