John Myers Jr., Staff Reporter
THOUGH MANY Jamaicans are finding it difficult to find gainful employment, the number of foreigners applying for work permits here has increased by almost 35 per cent in the last three years, statistics from the Ministry of Labour has shown.
According to figures from the Ministry of Labour, the Work Permit Division approved just over 3,900 work permit applications in 2003, compared to 2,500 in 2000.
However, Veronica Robinson, head of the Work Permit Division, was quick to point out that the increase in work permit approvals was not an indication that foreigners were taking away Jamaican jobs. She explained that the majority of persons applying for work permits were those with business interests in Jamaica. This, she argued, would impact positively on Jamaica and create employment for Jamaicans.
"Our breakdown doesn't show an increase in construction workers coming in," said Ms. Robinson. She explained that many of the foreigners are project managers and senior engineers.
UNEMPLOYED LABOUR FORCE
The Economic and Social Survey in 2003 showed that the country's unemployed labour force stood at 144,200, representing a decline of 15.2 per cent when compared to 2002. The figures compiled by the Labour Ministry, indicate that the majority of the applicants for work permits are from Asia, which represented 43.5 per cent. The next largest group is North America with 19 per cent. Citizens from India and China received the most work permits, accounting for 21 per cent and 19 per cent respectively.
A breakdown of the number of applications approved in 2003 showed that permits were granted to 2,983 professionals and technicians; 22 clerks; 254 service workers; 95 skilled agriculture and fishery workers; 443 craft workers; 26 plant and machine workers and 11 elementary workers. The occupation of nine persons were not specified.
With an expected boom in construction, industry players are moving swiftly to train people to take advantage of job opportunities. This, amid concerns about the unavailability of enough skilled workers to satisfy the job demand and the likelihood of foreigners taking up these positions.
Earlier this year JAMALCO signed an agreement with HEART Trust/National Training Agency to provide specialised training for more than 1,000 workers who will be employed in the proposed US$690 million (J$42 billion) expansion at the JAMALCO bauxite plant in Hayes, Clarendon. The agreement was signed despite an inadequate supply of competent persons required to meet the expansion.
A similar agreement was signed with the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ) to provide practitioners in the construction industry with technical training which would upgrade them to meet international standards.
Herbert Lewis, immediate past president of the Jamaica Employers Federation (JEF) says employers stand to lose out even further if immediate measures are not taken to address problems facing Jamaica's skilled labour force. With the advent of globalisation and the soon-to-be established CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), Mr. Lewis said those jobs are likely to be filled by foreign nationals.
AN IMPROVED WORK FORCE
Don Mullings, president of the IMAJ, has consistently spoke of the problem. He also emphasised the importance of an improved workforce as the world market becomes increasingly competitive.
"It necessitates that the Jamaican worker, contractor, manufacturer, banker, farmer, baker operate at world class standard to be able to maintain high levels of productivity, sustainability, profitability and remain competitive," said Mr. Mullings.
Mr. Lewis believes that the authorities should consider extending the retirement age of persons who are still capable of functioning beyond the 65 (for men) and 60 (for women) as a short-term solution. At the same time, companies should have a programme developed to train people. Mark Thomas, communications officer at the HEART Trust, says that the organisation has embarked on an islandwide thrust that offers training programmes which cover various facets of the construction industry including plumbing, carpentry and electrical installation.
"Most of our training is done at the Portmore HEART Academy (where) we offer building construction skills training and certification and particularly in our vocational training centres which are in every parish," Mr. Thomas explained.
He estimates that there are approximately 370,000 people in the labour force who are working without the requisite training and certification. He said HEART was also targeting this group.
