THE calls are getting louder from private sector individuals for the Government to start taking steps to mitigate an impending labour crisis that could emerge from the tightening job market with unemployment at a historic low of 4.5 per cent. Businessmen who spoke to the Jamaica Observer on the matter say the issue is becoming critical and will get worse as the economy continues to recover from the decimation it suffered during the coronavirus pandemic.

Richard Pandohie, CEO of the Seprod Group said, while the issue of worker shortage in various disciplines has been articulated over the last year, each day without a solution is only kicking the proverbial can down the road.

“There has been an increase in the shortage [of skilled workers],” Pandohie told the Business Observer in an interview Tuesday. He said that shortage gets critical each day and calls for a development plan that includes importing labour to fill skills gap.

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/open-that-door/