PM Holness calls on Diaspora to help create culture of efficiency

Jamaicans in the Diaspora are called on to engage themselves and become catalysts in spreading the message on the importance of increasing productivity to help develop Jamaica’s economy. This call came from the Prime Minister, Andrew Holness during his address to Diaspora members attending the 10th Biennial Jamaican Diaspora Conference, in Jamaica last week, at the Montego Bay Convention Center.

With attendees from 15 different countries Prime Minister Holness pointed out to the group of migrant Jamaicans that improving productivity is a part of the country’s public policies. Noting that it is one that radically increase wages and also increase the minimum wage, and if sustained by a commensurate, this can increase in productivity. “The policies that we are trying to implement are the same policies that you are every single day, observing in the countries from which you come,” Holness pointed out.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Kamina Johnson-Smith (fourth from left) sitting among several Diaspora representatives during a presentation at the conference. Photo by Jamaica Information Service/Dave Reid

Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the culture that Jamaica needs to build is productivity and to have that culture the Diaspora members can be of great assistance to make it happen. “Yes, government can increase the wages but if we are increasing the wages without addressing productivity, we are only fooling ourselves, because that increase is going to come back as high inflation,” the prime minister explained.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding greeting each other at the Diaspora Conference. Looking on is a Diaspora representative.
Photo by Jamaica Information Service

Holness said that Jamaica is now on a two-pronged strategy and is increasing wages as much as is possible, while balancing the inflation so the economy will not be affected negatively from that, “But we must now be on this very rigorous pathway of producing more,” he emphasized.

In continuing to highlight the importance for the increase in production, Holness noted that this was not just of the workers, but also how management is structuring business process and workflows, “how are we integrating technology in our business processes and workflows, how are we creating new products…how is this business of innovation?”  he questioned.

The prime minster also asked that members attending the conference play an integral role in conveying the productivity message to their families in Jamaica.