.png)
00:00
00:00
00:00
John Levy, Dr Chris Stokes, and Clive Munroe Jr.
As the public debate rages on regarding the employment of foreign workers in Jamaica, Development Economist Dr. Chris Stokes says any attempt to mandate companies to hire locals could drive up the cost of doing business.
Dr Stokes, speaking Sunday on Radio Jamaica's weekly news review programme, That's a Rap, said consumers will ultimately have to pay more for goods and services if companies are forced to employ Jamaicans, even if they are as productive as foreign workers.
He said the Chinese-operated auto repair shop –WH Car Service – located at Ferry Pen off Mandela Highway in St Andrew attracted long queues of customers and viral attention due to their expertise, technology, and affordable services.
In contrast to the sentiments of Dr Stokes, one prominent trade unionist, who also spoke on the show, criticised the government for what he deemed its failure to protect the jobs of Jamaican workers.
According to John Levy, General Secretary of the Union of Clerical Administrative and Supervisory Employees, the Ministry of Labour has not been standing with Jamaican workers who are seeing their jobs going to foreigners.
Mr Levy added that the issue surrounding the Chinese owned business, where the employees have been found to be working without permits, is not new, claiming it is a widespread practice, due to the failure of the Ministry to implement the required safeguards.
The Ministry of Labour has suspended operations at the popular auto repair shop but is seeking to assure motorists, who are outraged over the closure, that business will resume once the operators are found to be in compliance with the law.
The Ministry said that during a site visit on Thursday, the workers were advised that operating without the required permits and other relevant documents constituted a breach.
Attorney-at-law Clive Munroe Jr., in his comment on the issue, urged Jamaicann mechanics to upgrade their skills in order to remain viable within the local auto repair industry.
In that vein, he called for a holistic approach in addressing the skills deficit in the country.
comments powered by Disqus
All feeds
