New immigration policy proposed by Economic Growth Council. Are Jamaican jobs safe?

Economic Growth Council (EGC) in its call to action for the planned five per cent growth by 2020 recommends that Jamaica implement a ‘growth-oriented, open-door immigration policy’ to strengthen the country’s qualified population in meeting the growth objectives.

“Jamaica does not have enough qualified persons to meet, in the short term, its growth agenda objectives. In this dynamic and competitive global environment, Jamaica cannot afford to put these objectives on hold until it upgrades its workforce to meet these demands,” the EGC said in highlighting human capital as one of the country’s main retardants to economic growth.

The implementation of an open-door immigration policy is one way the council reckons Jamaica can build human capital. The other is to pursue labour market reform, which is already underway.

It added that immigration reform should be part of the country’s growth agenda, as it is an immediate and powerful way to increase economic growth and innovation, create broader job opportunities, and increase Jamaica’s competitiveness and attractiveness as an investment destination.

Consequently, the council hopes to develop a target open-door, growth-oriented immigration policy which will facilitate entry into Jamaica for people who have the skills, education, work experience, and financial resources to make an immediate economic contribution.

Among other things, the policy will seek to modify and expand the existing visa programme to facilitate the entry of experienced, talented and entrepreneurial foreigners to work and live in Jamaica for extended periods.

It will also make it easier for such people to work in Jamaica without the need for ongoing renewal of work permits, while revamping the eligibility categories, the time required ,and the criteria for attaining permanent residence or citizenship for such people.

Additionally, the council hopes to create a more welcoming and less bureaucratic experience for such people at all ports of entry and says it will amend the various laws related to immigration and work permits – including the Aliens Act, 1946 and the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act, 1964 – to allow for a targeted growth-oriented approach.

According to the EGC, as Jamaica pursues a focused national education and training programme, additional ways must be explored to meet its labour needs and upgrade its workforce. The council noted that a growth-oriented immigration policy would allow a greater number of immigrants with advanced education and skills to legally enter, work and stay in Jamaica.

“Many countries have skilfully used their immigration policies to manage their labour requirements in order to grow their economies – attract investments, transfer knowledge, increase professional and skills training, and increase job opportunities.

“The presence and availability of certain immigrants could encourage new industries and companies to invest and set up business in Jamaica with the assurance of the availability of the requisite professionals and skill set required,” it reasoned.

However, the council was quick to add that these immigrants would not be displacing Jamaican workers, but will in the short term fill gaps in our labour market, as they bring professional training and skills which are either limited in quantity or not available in Jamaica.

Following the victory of the Jamaica Labour Party in the general election, Prime Minister Andrew Holness appointed the EGC to consult widely and to advise the Cabinet on a collection of broad platform policies and reforms that would facilitate economic growth.

Accordingly, the growth initiatives are intended to facilitate the removal of various obstacles to economic growth and shake the “trunk of the tree” with the potential to positively impact businesses and Jamaicans.

These initiatives translate into eight specific policy proposals to include the maintaining of macroeconomic stability and pursuing debt-reduction strategies, improving citizen security, improving access to finance, pursuing bureaucratic reform to improve the business environment, stimulating greater asset utilisation, building human capital, harnessing the power of the diaspora, and catalysing the implementation of strategic projects.

Speaking at the signing of the declaration of intent for the implementation of growth initiatives aimed at achieving annual growth of five per cent in four years, earlier this month, Prime Minister Holness said the strategy takes into consideration elements to include the poor, the dispossessed and the vulnerable.

“… there is an important part which says build human capacity. So I’m happy about this plan and our mandate is to uplift the poor. It’s about empowering people so that they have the access and the knowledge,” he said.