标签： Jamaica

Jamaica is currently celebrating a record-low unemployment rate of 3.3 per cent, a figure that appears to signal economic progress. However, economists caution that this statistic conceals significant underlying issues, including widespread underemployment, a vast informal sector, and a disengaged youth population, all of which pose threats to the nation’s sustainable growth.

While only 49,200 Jamaicans are officially unemployed, a broader measure of labour underutilisation reveals a more concerning 6.7 per cent rate. Economist Wendel Ivey highlights that just 45 per cent of the 1.4-million-strong workforce is formally registered, indicating that over half of the labour force operates in the informal economy without social protections or job security.

For individuals like D’Angelo, a skilled chef with seven years of experience, this reality is deeply personal. He describes his work as sporadic, relying on event bookings for income. “If an event is happening, we get three or four days for that week, and in other weeks when there is no work, we try to hustle otherwise,” he explains. D’Angelo is one of 25,400 Jamaicans classified as ‘time-related underemployed’—working part-time but desiring and available for more hours. This underemployment, Ivey argues, reflects a misalignment between skills and job opportunities, limiting productivity and earnings potential.

The informal sector exacerbates these challenges. With only 641,495 PAYE taxpayers out of 1.4 million employed workers, Ivey notes that the majority of the workforce lacks formal registration, reducing tax revenues and constraining productivity growth.

A more profound crisis lies in the 124,700 young people classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), a rate of 25 per cent—well above the Latin America and Caribbean average of 18.3 per cent. Ivey warns that this represents a significant underutilisation of human capital, with long-term implications for the economy.

Job creation trends further complicate the situation. The largest employment increases have been in sectors like wholesale and retail trade, which Ivey criticises for offering limited productivity gains and low wages. This, he argues, reinforces cycles of underemployment and informality, while also contributing to brain drain as skilled workers seek opportunities abroad.

To address these issues, Ivey calls for economic diversification, particularly into manufacturing and logistics, alongside targeted skills development and entrepreneurship programmes for disengaged youth. Until these structural flaws are addressed, Jamaica’s celebrated unemployment rate will remain a superficial victory, masking deeper vulnerabilities in the labour market.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union Limited (FHC) and its foundation have once again demonstrated their commitment to empowering individuals through education and entrepreneurship. On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the FHC Credit Union 2025 Scholarship and Awards Ceremony took place at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel under the theme, “Play to Win: Strength in Strategy, Power in Performance.” The event celebrated the achievements of students and entrepreneurs who received scholarships and grants to further their aspirations. Among the beneficiaries were Gayon Stewart and Renae McEachron, whose stories highlight the transformative impact of this support. Gayon Stewart, a dedicated educator pursuing a primary teacher education degree at St. Joseph Teachers’ College, was awarded the Renald Mason Scholarship for her outstanding academic performance, achieving a 3.7 GPA. Specializing in science and mathematics, Stewart’s journey has been marked by resilience and determination. A mother of three, she had to delay her educational ambitions to support her family. Now, with her children grown, she is seizing the opportunity to fulfill her lifelong passion for teaching. The scholarship provides her with financial stability, allowing her to focus on her studies without the burden of financial stress. Renae McEachron, an ambitious entrepreneur, was one of three recipients of the entrepreneurship grant. Her agro-business, Breezy Castle Farm, located in St. Mary, will benefit from the $500,000 grant to modernize operations and implement irrigation systems. This innovation will enable year-round planting, overcoming the challenges posed by seasonal droughts. McEachron’s journey has been fraught with setbacks, including praedial larceny that forced her to abandon farming for a time. Now, with a secure location and renewed determination, she is expanding her farm to include animal rearing and storage facilities. The ceremony also recognized other outstanding individuals. In the tertiary category, $1.7 million was distributed among recipients of the Renald Mason, Oswald Thorbourne, and sports education scholarships. Additionally, ten high school students received over $600,000 in academic awards and grants for their exceptional performances in the 2025 Primary Exit Profile. The FHC Credit Union’s initiatives underscore the importance of strategic investment in education and entrepreneurship as catalysts for community development and economic growth.

ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) has officially introduced its Rural Express Routes, marking a significant expansion in premium inter-city travel options for Jamaicans. The service, which commenced on October 1, 2025, connects Kingston to key destinations including Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Mandeville, and May Pen.