Government to Create Environment to Deter Migration of Skilled Labour Force

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government is committed to creating an environment that can accommodate the needs of university graduates and deter migration of the country’s skilled labour force.

He urged university students to stay in Jamaica and help build the country and economy after graduation.

“The Government that I lead makes the commitment that we will make our Government more efficient, be more entrepreneurial with Government, explore new avenues and diversify our economy. We will bring corruption down, we will invest in our young people and we will get crime under control. But, we need to know that we have the skilled population,” Mr. Holness said.

The Prime Minister was addressing the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona’s Elsa Leo-Rhynie Towers Hall Annual Banquet, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston on March 23.

He said it is important to develop a social contract between the Government and the students in this regard, as Jamaica is losing some of its best resources to other countries, which contributes to slow economic growth.

“If we are going to build Jamaica, there has to be a new social contract where you have to take a second look at your own country, to build your own country, because the world is changing and it is not always going to be a pleasant world for migration. At the end of the day, this is your country and your home,” he said.

Mr. Holness further noted that the skilled and educated sector of the population will be critical in the work to make Jamaica the centre of the Caribbean.

“We have to make Jamaica the centre of commerce, the centre of trade, the centre of the knowledge industry, the centre of innovation and technology, of culture and lifestyle and arts,” he said.

The annual banquet was used to honour Prime Minister Holness with the Elsa Leo-Rhynie Towers Hall Award, which is presented each year to distinguished past students of UWI who have given patronage to the university and the country.

Mr. Holness holds a Master of Science in Development Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies from UWI, Mona.