BIRTH OF THE MODERN WORKERS MOVEMENT 1938 - 1940 Fed up with years of oppression, the waterfront workers of Kingston go on strike and send for Alexander Bustamante, He takes charge. 23 May, 1938 Bustamante leads workers march through Kingston 23 May, 1938 Bustamante is arrested while addressing crowd, after baring his chest and saying “shoot me and leave my people alone.�St. William Grant and other organizers were arrested. 25 -28 May, 1938 Waterfront workers refuse increased wage offer and declare they will accept nothing until Bustamante is released. 28 May, 1938 Bustamante and St. William Grant are released. Workers accept new wage agreement. Bustamante announces formation of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) on 24 May, 1938 heralding the most important advance of the Jamaican masses.
1938 - The Labour Leader, Sir Alexander Bustamante, poses with officials including St. William Grant (2nd from left) L.W. Rose (3rd from left) Ross Livingston (centre) Rev. & Mrs. Cowell-Lloyd. In the background are members of the BITU staff.
The 1940 s
8 September, 1940 - 8 February, 1942 — Bustamante, the union leader is detained under war-time Regulations and agrees to have the PNP leadership to manage the B.I.T.U. in his absence. Bustamante is released and learns of a plot to undermine him. He dismisses the PNP team as managers of the B.I.T.U. and announces that he will not confine his future efforts to trade unionism.
8 July, 1943—Alexander Bustamante launches Jamaica Labour Party at the Ward Theatre and is acclaimed as its first Leader. Harold Allan, a teacher from Portland is elected the chairman and Lynden Newland, a journalist from St. Thomas, is elected secretary.
First JLP Government, 1944-55 14 December, 1944 — JLP wins First elections under Universal Adult Suffrage the JLP wins 22 seats the PNP wins 4 seats. 1945 — Bustamante leads first local team in the Executive Council Starts fixing gullies to control floods which caused hundreds of deaths in poorer communities each year. The PNP criticized it as “gully government.” Rebuilds hundreds of elementary schools to allow teaching to take place indoors ·Starts equal pay for women in public service Allows postmistresses to get married without having to resign their position. Appoints first Jamaican police officer. Creates revenue surplus in Budget every year. First Jamaican nursing sister appointed.
1944 - Bustamante with Members of Jamaica’s First House of Representatives
First JLP Government - Continued Women gain significant status. Iris Collins , in 1944, is elected in NW St. James and becomes the first elected female member of the House of Representatives. 1948— Sir Harold Allan JLP MHR (Member of the House of Representatives) for East Portland becomes first black Jamaican to be knighted. His achievements included : - His outstanding performance international conferences such as the Geneva and London conferences - Founding of the Association of Local Government Authorities (ALGA) - Initiated labour intensive projects to ease unemployment in several parishes
1949 - Chief Minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante with the Party’s nominees to the Executive Council
First JLP Government - Continued Britain declares the Jamaican experience in Universal Adult Suffrage a success and extends similar status to Trinidad and other Caribbean islands. 1948— The University College of the West Indies was established and the University College Hospital of the West Indies (UCHI) came into existence. 1948— First political martyr. JLP supporter killed at political 'Meeting during Gordon Town by-election. PNP officials charged. 1948— Madam Mrs. Rose Leon, JLP MHR West St. Andrew, elected first woman chairman of a political party in Caribbean The JLP undertook the first serious programme to asphalt rural roads 1952—The Jamaica Industrial Development Corporation (JIDC) and the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) were formed to encourage and develop industry and agriculture, two vital sectors of the economy 1952— Caribbean Cement Company opened — nation selfsufficient in cement until 2005. 1952— Sir Alexander Bustamante launches the bauxite mining industry by successfully arranging the entry off the first three bauxite and alumina companies into Jamaica : Alcan, Reynolds and Kaiser. .
First JLP Government - Continued 1953— Jamaica's first Ministers under, self-governement, appointed. Bustamante is appointed Chief Minister, criticized for appointing a former truck sideman, Isaac Barrant, as first Minister of Agriculture. His performance and grasp of the portfolio confounds the critics. A Ministry of Housing was established for the first time, to give clear direction to housing development and first housing policy for Jamaica was formulated. Madam Mrs. Rose Leon appointed Minister of Housing and first female Minister of Government . Government began building houses and helping people to own their own homes, on an easy-payment basis, for the first time. The Maverley Housing scheme became the prototype for the provision of low-cost housing by the Government. Jamaica 's first industrial estate was established at Tinson Pen The Palisadoes Airport and the Montego Bay Airport were opened to civilian traffic, bringing Jamaica into the modern international passenger transportation age.
First JLP Government - Continued The Jamiaca Labour Party Initiated a massive primary school building programme . 1953 The Jamaica Tourist Board promotion of Tourism
was established for the
Began the development of the North Coast as the focus of the tourist industry 1949 Tower Isle hotel opened, ushering the development of Ocho Rios as a tourist destination. The Tower Isle hotel was Jamaica’s first modern hotel.
1955 - 1962 1955— The People ‘s National Party gain power and steer Jamaica toward a West Indian Federation and away from Independece 1961— JLP opposes Federation of the West Indies and calls for a referendum to decide the future of the country .The JLP promotes independence for Jamaica as an alternative. October, 1961— JLP wins Referendum and Britain offers independence .
The Period of Nation Building 1962 – 1972 April 1962— JLP win elections which make Bustamante Jamaica's first Prime Minister. August 1962 - Jamaica Becomes Independent Nation 1963- Sir Clifford Campbell, a humble black school teacher of Petersfield Westmoreland is appointed Jamaica's first GovernorGeneral. 1963— JLP Cabinet approve Jamaica's Flag and National Anthem. The order of national hero is established and Marcus Mosiah Garvey is named the first national hero. The mortal remains of Marcus Mosiah Garvey was then brought back to Jamaica. 1963—Bustamante declares Jamaica’s foreign policy; ”Jamaica is with the West” as communism will fail. His prediction comes through when the USSR collapsed in 1989. 1968 — Manufacturing becomes largest economic sector. 1962-1972—Jamaica rated as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
1962 - Sir Alexander Bustamante with Jamaica’s First Cabinet in Independent Jamaica
1962 Independence
1962 - The Minister of Development and Welfare, Rt . Hon. Edward Seaga, (left) presenting to the Prime Minister, Hon. Sir Alexander Bustamante, the first copy of a poster produced by the Government’s Public Relations office as part of literature for Independence Celebrations .
1962- H.R.H The Princess Margaret smiles as she talks with Rt.Hon Norman Manley, Leader of the opposition, who was presented shortly after her arrival at Palisados airport. Rt. Hon. Sir Alexander Bustamante, looks on.
1962 Independence
The Period of Nation Building 1962 – 1972 ·The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) was established to provide retirement benefits for individuals and families. 59 Secondary Schools and 126 Primary Schools were built to widen educational opportunities for the children of the poor. No school fees charged. Increases secondary school attendance by over 100% 1960s — Education Minister Edwin Allen declares 70% of Common Entrance places must be to primary school children. Tertiary educational institutions, including that for agriculture, were upgraded and advanced; and technical education was made free of cost to all students Teachers Colleges were improved and expanded The 100 village programme was launched to upgrade communities and promote the use of community centres as bridgeheads for the literacy campaign, for training in the arts, crafts and dressmaking, and other similar activities to create employment opportunities
1964- The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon Sir Alexander Bustamante inspects guard of honour drawn up from the 1st battalion of the Jamaica Regiment.
Period of Nation Building - Continued 1968 - The Urban Development Corporation was founded, and given the task of rebuilding downtown Kingston, developing Ocho Rios and the Montego Bay waterfront, and creating a modern profile for Negril. 1966 The Port of Kingston was moved to ultra-modern facilities at Newport West and named Port Bustamante, and is now the most modern port facility in the Caribbean. ¡ 1960s — Completion of asphalt roads around the entire island A programme of national volunteers was organized to get young people to help the aged and indigent. Golden Age Homes were established to provide care, treatment and special attention to elderly citizens and the needy. 1969 - Establishment of Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) 1969 - Establishment of Jamaica Development Bank (JDB)
His Excellency Sir Alexander Buatamante speaks at a party conference in the early sixties.
1966 - Halie Selassie Visits Jamaica
H.I.M. Halie Selassie I pays a visit to the Rt. Hon. Sir Alexander Bustamante , Lady Bustamante is seated to his left
H.I.M. Halie Selassie I arrives at Palisados Airport , Rt. Hon. Donald Sangster looks on.
Period of Nation Building - Continued 1971 - Establishment of Jamaica Mortgage Bank (JMB) Youth training was expanded, as Cobbla and Chestervale Youth Camps were improved. New Youth Camps for boys were opened in Kenilworth in Hanover and Lluidas Vale in St. Catherine, as well as one for girls in Cape Clear in St. Mary. The Jamaica Labour Party administration built the May Pen Hospital , the Savanna-la-Mar hospital and the Cornwall Regional hospital, and the Bustamante Hospital for Children. The Student's Loan Fund, operated by the Bank of Jamaica, was established to aid needy students at the University of the West Indies (UWI), College of Arts , Science and Technology (CAST) now University of Technology (UTECH), and the Teachers' Colleges. The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) was established to encourage and develop various forms of cultural expression.
1963 - OFFICIAL CAR, Rt.Hon. Sir Alexander Bustamante gazes at his official state motorcar which was handed over to him at his Tucker avenue residence by Representatives of Unimotors Limited. The car is a Cadillac Fleetwood which is air conditioned and is equipped with police radio.
Period of Nation Building - Continued
Picture of the Cornwall Regional Hospital which was built by the Jamaica Labour Party
Minister of Finance and Planning, Rt. Hon. Edward Seaga arrives at Palisados airport with his wife, Mitzie Seaga , his son Chris Seaga and daughter Anabella Seaga .
Period of Nation Building - Continued
Period of Nation Building - Continued The Jamaicanization programme came into being, embracing all interests in the country. In this regard, Jamaican financial management, in the conduct of the country's business, made its first impressive marks with cooperation between public and private sectors. This was a period of impressive financial and economic advancement in our country's history. In the 1960's Jamaica experienced an annual average growth rate of 6% which was among the highest levels of economic growth recorded among developing countries during this period. Television was introduced to Jamaica The “Jamaica Information Service�, formerly the government's public relations office, was reorganized and expanded to reflect the many and varied concerns of government and the face of Jamaica in general. An extensive land distribution programme was undertaken, backed up by programmes to assist with loans and farm inputs consistent with the government's policy of helping farmers to make a better
1963 - Mr. Hugh Begg of the Scottish Television Consortium, adds his signature to contract for the establishment of television services in Jamaica. Rt.Hon. Edward Seaga, Minister of Development and welfare signs on behalf of Government
Period of Nation Building - Continued The National Craft Development Agency, was established and evolved into “Things Jamaican” Establishment of Devon House Jamaica House was built and became the first official residence of the Prime Minister. Vale Royal was developed as the residence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Jamaica became a member of the United Nations, Jamaican embassies were established in the major capitals of the world Air Jamaica came into being as the national airline, and showed a profit in its early years Redevelopment of Kingston Waterfront 1963 –– Establishment of the Jamaica Festival 1964–– Promotion to Launch Jamaican Music (SKA) Abroad, Jamaica’s first international music genre, followed by Rock Steady, Reggae and Dancehall
1963 - At the Palisados airport just before his depature on a PAN AM flight to the United States, is Prime Minister the Hon. Sir Alexander Bustamante ( second from left), the rest of his party comprising (from left) Lady Bustamante, Mrs. Carmen Gauntlett, the Prime Minister’s Secretary; Mr. Jimmy Lloyd, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs; and the Hon. Donald Sangster, Deputy Prime Minister.
Period of Nation Building - Continued
Period of Nation Building - Continued
Period of Nation Building - Continued 1964 –– Construction of National Heroes Park 1971 –– Design of the Cultural Training Centre (Arts, Drama, Music, Painting & Sculpture ) 1965/1969 –– Arawak and Port Royal Museums Established 1967 –– Establishment of Jamaica Journal Publication (Institute of Jamaica) 1967 –– Reclamation and development of Ocho Rios Waterfront (Turtle Beach) 1968 ––Creation of National Heritage Week 1963 –– Construction of National Arena 1971 –– National School Feeding Programme
Period of Reconstruction and Reconciliation 1980 to 1989 1983 –– Revival of Jamaica's Tourist Industry which later received 1 million visitors 1983 –– Dr. Mavis Gallimore, Minister of Education , begins compulsory education in St.Thomas and Trelawny . It succeeds and expands to five other parishes. Experiment stopped after Government changed in 1989. 1983 –– Completion of the National Conference Center, built in record time ( 1 Year ) which allowed Jamaica to become second developing country to host the U.N.’s specialized agency, the International Seabed Authority. 1983––After massacre of Cabinet in Greneda, Grenada's Governor General writes to Prime Minister , Edward Seaga, requesting military help. With Dame of Dominica and other Caribbean Heads of Government, they request US Government assistance and Greneda is Freed. The first and only revolutionary coup in the Commonwealth Caribbean is ended and democracy is returned to the region 1984–– Establishment of the Self Start Fund
Period of Reconstruction and Reconciliation 1980 to 1989 Through the development of the garment industry, primarily in the Kingston freezone, Montego Bay freezone, Lucea freezone, Clarendon freezone and Spanish town freeaone, over 30,000 women found employment at good wage rates. In the decade of the 1980s, 179,500 new jobs were created establishing a new record in job-creation. GDP grew at over 5% per annum between 19851989 and 30,000 jobs were created each year during the period. The period was characterized as Jamaica's Golden Years. 1981 –– National Development bank ( NDB ) 1981–– Agricultural Credit Bank Jamaican farmers
(ACB) to facilitate loans for
1982 –– Establishment of Agro 21 which introduced modern farming technology for export of winter vegetables to the unite d states and established commercial fresh water fish industry for export and local consumption. 1982 – H.E.A.R.T - The establishment of the Human Employment and Resource Trust (H.E.A.R.T.) opened up important new areas of practical skill training and employment opportunities for young people by taking a new and dynamic approach by focusing on the growth areas of the economy.
Period of Reconstruction and Reconciliation 1980 to 1989 1984 –– Establishment of Food Stamp Programme for elderly poor and lactating mothers 1985 –– Comprehensive Tax Reforms 1985 –– The Solidarity Programme came into being. It addressed the need of the unemployed youth in a way that no previous administration ever had. It offered new hope through loans which encouraged citizens to go into business for themselves. 1985 –– Establishment of Metropolitan Parks and Markets (MPM) an agency for National Beautification and Public cleansing which created parks across the city and made kingston one of the cleanest cities in the world 1985 –– A modern Golden Age home was established in Kingston for the elderly indigent, replacing the Eventide Home burnt out by fire in the 1970s. 1985 –– Export – Import Bank (Exim Bank) 1986 –– Establishment of Contractor General , originally proposed in 1979 to ensure equity and reduce corruption in the awarding of government contracts 1986 –– Deregulation of Economy ; removal of import licensing and price controls on hundreds of items ·
Period of Reconstruction and Reconciliation 1980 to 1989 1986 –– Privatization of the National Commercial Bank ( NCB ) 1986 –– P.A.C.E. - The Programme for the Advancement of Early Childhood Education (PACE) was established to give preschool children a sound foundation on which to receive higher education. 1986 – L.E.A.P. – ( Learning for Earning Activity Programme) for street children 1987 –– The JLP restored private sector confidence in the Jamaican economy by establishing the Jamaica National Investment Promotion Agency (JNIP) whose mission was to aggressively attract investment at home and abroad. Later its scope was widened by the JLP administration and it was renamed “JAMPRO” for Jamaica Promotions. 1987 –– Tourism surged forward to bring in, for the first time (1987) one million visitors in a year. This industry was set on the high road of increasing growth and achieved a position of leadership as an earner of vital foreign exchange. 1987––Establishment of Denham Town redevelopment Programme
Period of Reconstruction and Reconciliation 1980 to 1989 1988 –– Establishment of Digiport in Montego Bay to begin the process of the modernization of Jamaica's Communications Network 1988 ––One Million Trees Programme 1988 –– Reclamation of Montego Bay Waterfront 1988 –– Negril Development (Bloody Bay ) 1988 –– Construction of Portmore Town Centre , Torrington Park 1988 –– Establishment of Social Well – Being Plan 1988 –– A new thrust was given to the preservation of our cultural heritage. Restoration work was started in Fort Charles in Port Royal and on the Seville Great House in St. Ann 's Bay. Excavation was started on the site of the first Spanish settlement in Jamaica at Seville . Devon House was developed as a park and craft centre; St. Williams' Grant Park and Mandela Park (then Half Way Tree Park ) were upgraded and given new facilities.
Period of Reconstruction and Reconciliation 1980 to 1989 1984–– Establishment of Administrative Reform Programme (ARP) for fundamental Civil Service reforms. 1988 – Introduced a Media Divestment Programme to establish several small private Radio Stations and church television. Broadcast licenses were granted for the first time in perpetuity subject only to compliance with broadcasting regulations. Broadcast licenses liberated the media by removing the former practice of awarding licenses of 5 year terms 1988 – Construction of residential halls for UWI, UTECH and Cultural Training Centre. Massive Restructuring of the health system Restructuring of Agriculture Government in keeping with modern thinking and modern trends, encouraged high technology as a deliberate policy to meet foreign competition in the production of goods and services. Government also renewed growth and stability in the country's economy.
Period of Reconstruction and Reconciliation 1980 to 1989 In the area of reconciliation, the revival of unity among all sectors and groups in Jamaica was established from the chaos of the 1970s, For example, political polarization was discouraged, and tolerance and goodwill promoted with growing success. Massive expansion of the coffee industry which lead to a shortage of labour in Portland and St.Andrew. 路
Period of Reconstruction and Reconciliation 1980 to 1989 An integrated approach was taken to the problems of primary education through an extensive school construction programme coupled with the provision of free school textbooks and a school feeding programme to provide learning texts and to release the children from the impediment of hunger. The introduction of the Textbook rental scheme at the technical and secondary schools is also noteworthy. The programme of land distribution was resumed along with a new land titling programme which provides titles to farmers who had been settled on land since the earliest days but had never been given such an important document. The bauxite industry, which had fallen behind the economic progress of pre-1974, was given a new lease on life and began an inexorable return to its place of respected leadership in the economy.
Period of Reconstruction and Reconciliation 1980 to 1989 The College of Arts , Science and Technology (CAST), an educational symbol of the official determination to promote national, industrial and economic growth and expansion, was encouraged to teach degree courses. In response, CAST offered several degree courses. The School of Agriculture at Twickenham Park near Spanish Town was removed to an agricultural setting in Portland and upgraded to a College of Agriculture awarding associate degrees. The Twickenham Park premises was transformed into a police academy. Establishment Police Academy for the training of policemen and police-women, with special courses for the officer corps of Jamaica and the Caribbean . Restoration of the island's infrastructure was actively undertaken and widely spread through improved electricity and telephone services, provision of water supplies, and road network
Speaker’s Guide POINTERS TO IMPROVE YOUR SPEECH Restrict length to 8-10 minutes – especially if you’re not the only speaker. (The average listener has a 12-min. attention span) “Tell a story, then make a point; tell a story, then make a point,” is a popular technique used to boost audience attention. Mix your speech with personal stories, examples, or light jokes every 2-3 min. Make eye contact with the audience’s 3 main sections throughout your speech. Use the 3-point system – divide your focus between the left, middle, and right sections of your crowd Use short sentences with simple words. ‘Natural’-sounding language is more easily absorbed & remembered Introduce no more than 2 topics/ideas in your speech Make a strong opening and close – the 2 most remembered parts of a speech Do not include too may facts & figures. People remember stories and soft humour more than statistics Use short, catchy phrases, and “sound bites” especially if the media is present. (This is what editors carry on newscasts). Also, use repetitive phrases to emphasize a list of points Avoid saying anything controversial that might attract negative press for the Party Whatever topic you choose, try to include the Party’s commitment to allocate 2 ½ % of the budget to constituency development. This works out to approx. $100 million per constituency, per year. Give examples of what this would mean to your particular constituency, eg. road repairs, river training, skills training, etc..
Speaker’s Guide JOB CREATION Background: “One of the main things stifling the country is the big debt the PNP has gotten us into – the big loans, with big interest rates. The JLP is already talking to big banks overseas about the situation. We will re-negotiate the loans and get lower interest rates and better terms. When that happens things will start to get better, and business people will start employing people again.” “The Labour Party has a track record of creating over 179,000 jobs in the 8 years it was in office during the 1980s.” (Give examples – We built the Freezone which allowed women to send their children to school; We brought call centres to Jamaica; We started fresh-water fishing, started the HEART Trust etc.)
The JLP will: Give business people incentives to invest in New Industries – the way the JLP did with the garment factories and call centres in the 1980s. We’re going to use some of the money the PNP wastes on scandals (name some scandals) to bring manufacturing, agro-industry, and information technology back to life. But we’re also going to introduce new industries like health tourism, offshore education, retirement villages for overseas pensioners, and so on, so that young people can find betterpaying jobs Give incentives to small business people, including rural businesses, and urban-renewal projects that create jobs and provide housing Lower electricity costs so business people can put on more factory shifts, employ more workers. Reform the Taxation System so people can save more, and invest in factories and businesses that employ people
Speaker’s Guide AGRICULTURE “Things have never been so bad for farmers: The PNP has destroyed the cattle industry; cut out low-cost credit for small farmers; done nothing about praedial larceny; taken away housing for sugar workers; have cane farmers confused while Roger tries to make up his minds what to do with the industry.” “Anything Omar and the PNP can find, they tax - fertilizer, pesticides, everything, down to machete and file.”
The JLP Will: Remove (or lower) taxes on fertilizers, pesticides, etc. Re-organize the PC Banks and the National Development Bank so that farmers can get low-cost loans again (9% and lower) Re-organize the sugar industry and bring it back to life. We’re going to go step-up rum and ethanol production, and go into new areas like co-generation technology. The JLP is going to make it profitable for farmers to plant cane again Arrange extension services, low-cost loans etc. to farmers who want to supply orchard crops to the fresh and processed food industries Expand fresh water fish farming in a big-way (extension services, low-cost loans, marketing assistance, etc) Help farmers who want to sell vegetables to the new hotels to drastically step-up their crop yields with the new greenhouse technology Equip rural police stations to catch and lock up cow thieves, fishpot thieves, etc.
Speaker’s Guide EDUCATION The JLP Will: Make tuition free of cost for all students up to high school. This will help create a better job force and a more developed country. (Remind that “education is a basic right”, “equal opportunity to education for all”) Increase funding for education from 10% of the budget, to 15% Double the budget for basic school education Dedicate funds to improve teacher training – especIALLY for a Master Teachers Programme in English & Mathematics – 2 of our weakest subjects Introduce computer studies to a larger number of primary schools Bring back a proper nutrition programme like the one we had in the 80s. “Remember, no child can learn on a hungry belly” Introduce a programme of character development to instill values and attitudes that will help build a better Jamaica. We’re also going to work with the Ministry of Health to teach proper parenting skills Set up a trust fund dedicated to maintaining school facilities so Jamaican children can learn in dignity, and teachers can hold their heads high again in properly run schools Establish a remedial programme to give students a chance to catch-up. This is very important. We must do our best to ensure no student leaves the system without basic skills and becomes a burden on society
Speaker’s Guide HEALTH
“For the first time ever Jamaicans have to worry about finding hospital and doctor fees while you’re on your sick-bed.” You better know where to find thousands-of-dollars if you don’t want them to postpone your operation “The JLP got money from overseas (IDB) to fix-up all the big hospitals before we left office in the 1980s, and look at them now.” Outside they look pretty, but inside they don’t have bandages, dressings, or drugs. You have to send your relatives to bring them for you; if not you salt” “Same thing with all the health clinics we refurbished and the whole fleet of Volvo ambulances we put on the roads in the 1980s. How often you see an ambulance on the road now?” “Only 15 diseases are covered under the new Health Plan they boast about”. If you get in a motor vehicle accident you don’t have anything to get, etc. “Every time they’re in Govt. some serious disease takes us”. Malaria is a disease of poor countries, and Jamaica got rid of it 50 years ago. No other country in the Caribbean has it except Haiti. Remember Polio. After they ran down the country in the 70s it came back “They not doing anything about Aids”. Every year the number is growing. In 1998, we had 600 new cases per year, now it’s 1200
Speaker’s Guide HEALTH
The JLP Will: “Remove hospital fees and the charges for lab tests, and that is a promise” Remove the GCT from health insurance to encourage employers to cover more workers. JLP’s Goal: make employee health insurance compulsory when the economy picks up. Eventually the Govt will only have to cover 40% of citizens (or those who are not covered by their employers under the special scheme)
Bring medical tourism to Jamaica. This is a growing industry internationally, and the JLP will bring it to Jamaica. A lot of foreigners want to fly away to beautiful destinations for surgery, so they can recovery in luxury resorts. A JLP govt. will use the earnings from medical tourism to finance a better health service for all Jamaicans.
Speaker’s Guide CRIME “Nobody is safe under a PNP Govt.” More policemen, women, and children are murdered than any time in our history. Women need protection from rapists, Children need protection from driveby gunmen, workers need protection from unemployed youths who prey on them on the buses, etc. The PNP Govt has the poorest record in controlling crime in Jamaica. The average number of murders was ONLY 440 under the JLP govt. of the 80s. Under the PNP, the number of murders has more than doubled.
The JLP Will: “I can definitely stand here today and tell you the JLP is going to bring back hanging for vicious murders”. If a man knows he will go to the gallows he will think twice, don’t you know that. “We’re going to use the scandal money the PNP is wasting for more police, more equipment, and better pay for policemen”. “Right now everything is too drawn out in the court system, and people have to wonder if they’re really getting justice”. We will re-organize the system so that cases will go to trial quickly.
Speaker’s Guide CRIME Long-Term: We’re going to set-up talks with the PNP about taking serious action to stamp out gangster-style politics. The JLP will take the leadership position in these talks, and show them that this gun violence thing isn’t helping either party. The only sensible thing to do is to equip the police so they can track down illegal guns, etc.. We must also implement the recommendations from the crime experts. A JLP Min. of Education will teach values and attitudes in the schools, and work with the Min. of Health to teach proper parenting skills The bad situation with jobs, and educational opportunities is making the youth loose hope. Some feel they don’t have a choice but to pick up a gun to survive. We are working on 2 big things: free high school education, and more jobs. Young people will have the chance to learn a proper profession (give examples). And when it comes to job creation, the JLP will give business people and farmers incentives, and low-interest loans so they can create more jobs. This is the only way to stop generation after generation of criminals
Speaker’s Guide TOURISM The JLP will finally give the tourist industry the respect it deserves. Tourism workers who dedicate their lives to building the industry, citizens of resort towns who put out their best every day to hosts our tourist, farmers who supply the industry with produce – everyone who contributes to this great industry that feeds our nation can rest assured a JLP govt will give the industry the resources and support it is bawling out for” “We’re going to start with basic things that you and I can take common sense and know the industry needs to survive. Take, for instance, the state that Mobay, Ocho Rios, Negril are in. What a disgrace. Well, you can take it from me, a Labour Party Govt. will put an immediate stop to government biting the hand that feeds us. We’re going to dedicate special funds to fix up the potholes, the blocked up drains, paint up the place – basic things anybody would do in their home, especially if they expecting visitors” “Help is on the way for small hoteliers. The JLP has developed a solid plan to help small hoteliers upgrade their properties, and improve their marketing. No more empty promises and high-cost loans that nobody can afford” “God has blessed us with Dunn’s River Falls and other natural attractions. They have served us well in the past. But we have to look ahead and build new attractions to entice visitors to come here instead of Cayman, the Bahamas and other places. The more dollars our visitors spend when they leave their hotel properties, is the more you and your family will benefit. Right now as I’m talking to you, the JLP has plans for exciting new attractions that everybody will benefit from”
Speaker’s Guide TOURISM “If you know anyone working in Cayman or the Bahamas, let them tell you how many cruise ships they have in their harbour at one time. Imagine, if you drop Cayman in St. Ann, it almost lost. Yet Ocho Rios can’t begin to touch Cayman with the amount of cruise ship passengers they get each week. The main reason why is we don’t have enough space at our ports to hold more ships. The JLP will expand the ports in Mobay and Ocho Rios so we can draw more business from ships who want to come here” “Right now, too many tourists go home with money in their * pockets. They want to shop more, spend more - but they complain about not having enough variety to entice them. The JLP will develop a huge shopping area for visitors – even bigger than Curacao. We’re going to make Jamaica the shopping Mecca of the Caribbean” “If you want your son to become a doctor, you can send him to UWI. If you want your daughter to train as a lawyer, she can take up her studies right here in Jamaica. Well, it’s high time Jamaica has a world-class tourism training college to train ALL levels of professionals for the industry. Every year new hotels are going up. HEART Trust that the JLP started in the 80s can’t train all the staff we’re going to need. We can’t postpone it any longer. The JLP is looking ahead, and we will establish a world-class training college that will serve the industries’ needs” ‘Everybody knows that if you stand in the same place every year, other people will pass you and leave you behind. Jamaica is beautiful, but we have competition everywhere -Bahamas, Mexico, even Cuba. The JLP will market the island to new groups of visitors that the Minister of Tourism isn’t paying attention to. Let me give you an idea of what I mean. The JLP will target international sporting event; religious groups; visitors with medical conditions who want to recover in luxury resorts; super-rich visitors who will vacation for weeks at a time and spend plenty money, you name it. We have done the research, and we know the business it out there for us to attract”
Speaker’s Guide ROADS Candidate’s Promise – The JLP promises to set aside 2 ½% of the budget for constituency development. Give examples of how this will improve life in your parish, eg. road repairs, gully maintenance, etc. “The JLP will get low-cost money from overseas to fix all the main roads, and the parish council, district, and farm roads that the PNP Govt. has forgotten about while they building the highway”