PM hints at possible importation of skilled workers due to local shortage
TRELAWNY, Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has hinted at the possibility of importing labour to satisfy demand if enough trained workers are not available locally.
“We have placed HEART on alert… that we are going to have to find these people, put them in a streamline mechanism to get them trained and provide them very quickly. If we don’t do that, then there can be no complaint if we have to import labour into the country. And we are seeing an increase in request for labour, particularly skilled labour, in the country,” the prime minister stated.
He was speaking at the official ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a 700-room hotel by RIU in Trelawny on Wednesday.
“Now put yourself in my shoe, I want the development, how am I going to get it done?” added Holness. “Well, I am going to train the workers, that takes time, but in the interim I can’t stop the developments.”
