Locals Will Not Be Displaced By Foreigners In Global Logistics Hub Initiative – Minister Hylton

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, has assured that Jamaican workers will be employed in significant numbers in the Global Logistics Hub Initiative.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing held on August 30, at the Ministry’s St. Lucia Avenue offices, Mr. Hylton said there should be no fear that local workers will be displaced by foreigners.

He noted that while the Chinese-owned, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), is one of the leading foreign investors involved in the project, along with other international partners, Government is seeking to ensure that it maximises employment opportunities for Jamaicans.

“We must get our people ready for the jobs and they must have world-class training and world-class standards. The Logistics Hub is a global asset, so there can’t be two standards, a Jamaican standard and a global standard – there can only be one standard,” he stated.

Mr. Hylton further indicated that there are already protocols in place to ensure that a fair ratio of local to foreign workers are employed on all existing Chinese investment projects in the island.

The Industry Minister also pointed out that the hub will be integrating Jamaica into the global economy given its world-wide connectivity and the integrated activities with the global value and supply chains.

He noted that this will “link us into the global trading production systems, so it’s very important that we place due emphasis on training our people to world-class standards, which can be the only standard.”