Dear Editor,

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has continued to promote its 2016 election campaign mantra “From poverty to prosperity”, signalling that the Andrew Holness-led Administration is adamant about raising the social and economic bars for citizens, especially the poor and marginalised.

Despite falling behind their opponents, the People’s National Party (PNP), in favourability, the Government will highlight the progress that has been made in providing more jobs, thus reducing unemployment; the quick turnaround and stability of the economy, despite the terrible fallout experienced due to the novel coronavirus pandemic; and the access and opportunities it has provided to fundamental amenities to enhance living conditions, such as water, roads, and infrastructural development, internet, and educational grants, among others. They have consistently maintained that they are a Government “for the people”.

Amid the mishaps by the Government and some of its troublesome Members of Parliament, there is no denying that people generally love their “BroGod” prime minister, Andrew Holness. I have shared different spaces with him and have observed how people relate to him and vice versa. Even the recent Grand Gala celebrations at the national stadium to mark Jamaica 61 was testament of the love and respect that people have for him. There were loud cheers when he graced the oversubscribed audience with his presence. Unfortunately, Opposition Leader Mark Golding was a no-show, allegedly due to fatigue.

However, despite the love for the prime minister and the important gains achieved under the JLP, people continue to find it difficult to experience prosperity on a personal level. The Government continues to talk about prosperity, but who is benefiting? The situation can be likened to the context painted by renowned cultural icon Louise Bennett-Coverley in her poem Dutty Tough:

“Sun a shine, but tings no bright

Doah pot a bwile, bickle no nuff

River flood, but water scarce, yawl

Rain a fall, but dutty tough.”

Despite the Government’s revised compensation salary package – which was aimed at making everyone better – many civil servants are still discontented with the salaries that they are now earning. In fact, we consistently see different categories of functionaries striking about the unsatisfactory compensation. This situation, for sure, has increased the number of professionals who have sought employment opportunities in more developed and First World countries.

To date, several teaching openings remain vacant, and the reopening of school is just a few weeks away. Recent statistics also show that the Jamaica Constabulary Force is experiencing a high attrition rate, and one of the reasons for that is due to low compensation. In the midst of this, the 2022 Economic and Social Survey in Jamaica revealed that the birth rate continues to fall as more Jamaicans prefer small family sizes.

Truthfully, people can hardly see their way out much less think about adding children to the scenario. On X, formerly Twitter, many parents have been sharing the costs for back-to-school preparation for their children. When the non-parents saw those figures, they either contemplated further delaying having children or not having any at all.

If working class people with a fixed monthly income cannot feel this prosperity, what of those at the lower end of the social ladder? Is it prosperity for a few or for all?

Oneil Madden

maddenoniel@yahoo.com