THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WISH to challenge a statement made by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Mr. Derrick Kellier, as it relates to importing skills that are not available in Jamaica. The Minister's statement concerns the Spanish property Bahia Principe in Pear Tree Bottom.
Now Mr. Minister, let me begin by asking about the method used to confirm that the skills being sought to be imported are not available here? The prospective employer may advertise the post in the newspers, but how can you guarantee that no one befitting the post has applied? Does the ministry confirm this or do you simply take the employer's word for it that no suitable applicants were found/applied? Is there a skills database that the ministry has compiled to ensure that its nationals are not disenfranchised?
On the issue of translators/ interpreters, are you aware how many of us are fluent and literate in the world's leading languages including Spanish? How is it then that persons can be imported from Spain, be granted work permits, made supervisors in tourism-related activities, with no training or degrees in tourism, be offered full contracts and we Jamaicans are bypassed? Was it just a show when we said 'Buy Jamaican, build Jamaica'?
I am, etc.,
SHARON SHERIFF-WHITE
biensas@yahoo.com
Buckfield, Ocho Rios, St..Ann
Via Go-Jamaica
