PSOJ calls on gov't to set a date for Vale Royal Talks

President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica Metry Seaga is urging Prime Minister Andrew Holness to set a date for the Vale Royal talks with the Parliamentary Opposition.

Prime Minister Holness recently announced that his administration is prepared to resume the dialogue with the Opposition to discuss measures to tackle crime and violence.

In an interview with Radio Jamaica News, Mr Seaga urged the parties to speed up the talks to tackle the issue of crime that has been plaguing Jamaica.

Mr Seaga says crime is a major concern of the country's business sector "It is the most vexing issue that we have and if we don't get a handle on it we cannot have the growth that we need." However, the PSOJ President says he expects economic growth in Jamaica for 2023.

Mr Seaga says he's hoping for industrial relations calm during upcoming wage negotiations between the trade unions and employers this year.

He warned that instability could derail the slow economic recovery "People need to be paid better in Jamaica, there's no question about that, but we also need to made sure we don't put wages at a place that will make people lose their jobs so it's a fine balance and we have to find what's right."