Progress for the Millennium

Progress in achieving some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have been hitting road blocks due to corruption and lack of good governance in many countries, according to the United Nations.

Corruption’s complexity is either directly or indirectly felt by billions of citizens across the globe as it undermines human rights and intensifies poverty. Results also show that corruption fosters detrimental and draining effects plus, it slows down economic development.

The United Nations also points out that corruption not only creates social, political and economic devastation, but also undermines democratic institutions, which eventually causes governmental instability.

In commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, 2013, a biannual international conference brought together member state parties of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in Panama. More than 1,400 participants from all over the world discussed progress and challenges in the implementation of provisions to prevent and combat corruption.

“This is a huge problem that should unite us all. It is clear that corruption is a serious challenge that not one segment of society can solve alone,” said Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, who gave a statement from the UN Headquarters in New York.  He added, “We have to do it together. Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something.”

According to World Bank estimates, developing countries are being drained of roughly 35 billion dollars annually, due to extortion and bribery. Therefore, over the last decade, the private sector has made it a priority to recognize its role in helping  fight corruption.

The UN also insists upon embedding the principles of social and environmental accountability, fair labour practices and anti-corruption into the global marketplace.

The launch of a campaign “Call to Action,” by the UN Global Compact  ( UNGC), is making efforts to mobilize and encourage governments and local businesses and governments to act against corruption. This calls for businesses to do business based on fair competition and good governance, because many businesses in developing countries still give in to corrupt practices.

The campaign sets its focus on highlighting corruption’s caustic effects by stating that it increases the costs of doing business, as small businesses within the country often find it impossible to overcome the “start-up costs. The crime also distorts markets and impedes economic growth because foreign direct investment is discouraged. Corruption affects health in a country as it removes the focus from averting child deaths and fighting epidemics like HIV/AIDS.

The UN says it honours the commitment to fulfilling its obligations, and offers reassurances that an increasing amount of anti-corruption measures, as well as robust post-2015 development efforts to eradicate this crime, are underway.

“To achieve an equitable, inclusive and a more prosperous future for all, we must foster a culture of integrity and accountability,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message to mark International Anti-Corruption Day. “That is why transparency, the rule of law and good governance should be taken into account as we set global development priorities for the post-2015 period.”

With the support of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), another campaign – called ‘Zero Corruption, 100% Development’ – is currently underway.  It was designed by youths – for youths – to raise awareness of corrupt practices that seems to spread virally.  In a closing statement, Eliasson said, “You can count on the Secretary-General and me in advancing this important cause.”

BREXIT - Out Now!

With the majority (52%) of the people of the UK voting to  exit the European Union, the EC Leaders want them to leave...and fast! European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said Britain’s planned departure from the European Union was “not an amicable divorce” but called for it to be quick. “I do not understand why the British government needs until October to decide whether to send the divorce letter to Brussels,” he told German public broadcaster a day after the historic vote.

Ironically, the main advocates of the Vote BREXIT campaign are wanting a slow march to the divorce papers. Interestingly this appears to be a change to tune prior to the vote. The man the media has tapped to be the "BREXIT PM", Boris Johnson, and who was one the loudest voices for the divorce, is quoted as saying "nothing will change over the short term except that work will have to begin on how to give effect to the will of the people and to extricate this country from the supranational system".

So you eagerly want a divorce but you still want to wear the ring and stay in the matrimonial home. And in International Trade terms, they still want to have the same rights and privileges. I don't get it.

Already some of the predictions have been realized. The British Pound has fallen like a fluxy breadfruit and stocks have followed suit. The only safe asset seems to be gold, as investors try to come to terms with the new world order and the possibility of more exits.

In Jamaica many are concerned that the exit will have serious and far-reaching implications for our fragile economy. Monitoring and Assessments are in progress and Diplomatic Overtures being crafted. The $2 Trillion question is "How will Jamaica: Land We Love fare?"

Only time will tell...

Mosquitoes Like Dirt

In the aftermath of Chick V [Chikungunya - link] and now the potential onslaught of Zik V [Zika - link] the mosquito population seem not to be on the decline. With all the fogging, if WE all do not join the effort, it is all going to naught...and we may as well just go line to be bitten to get our dose on Zik V.

All fun and joke aside. We each just need to clean up our own little place and space and then encourage our families, friends and neighbours to do the very same. It's really just that simple.

Never mind that the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says "It is likely that Zika virus will continue to spread and will likely reach all countries and territories of the Americas where Aedes mosquitoes are found", we have the ability to change the outcome with some determination and will.

Let's kill Mosquitoes like dirt...

Imprisoned at Hard Labour?

Growing up in Jamaica I have frequently heard of persons, having found guilty of a crime, being sentenced to a term in prison at "Hard Labour". But what does this "Hard Labour" really entails? And, is it still actually being used in the Jamaican Correctional Service?

First, let me say, I am no Attorney neither am I an expert on the subject of prisons, rehabilitation or sentencing. I mere have been harboring an idea for the "productive" use of the man-power that seems to be wasting away in Jamaica's aging penal system [link].

So, not really knowing much about the topic, I consulted the web...Wikipedia to be exact. This is what it had to say "Penal labour is a generic term for various kinds of unfree labour which prisoners are required to perform, typically manual labour. The work may be light or hard, depending on the context. Forms of sentence involving penal labour have included involuntary servitude,penal servitude and imprisonment with hard labour. The term may refer to several related scenarios: labour as a form of punishment, the prison system used as a means to secure labour, and labour as providing occupation for convicts." One wonders if this definition applies to Jamaica?

Now, the term "unfree labour" has a very negative connotation and would be a significance in the Jamaican context. Wikipedia sights it as "a generic or collective term for those work relations, especially in modern or early modern history, in which people are employed against their will by the threat of destitution, detention, violence (including death), lawful compulsion, or other extreme hardship to themselves or to members of their families". To frown on its use in modern Jamaica is quite understandable.

But, what if the inmates were to be compensated for their service? What if the compensation was at the market rate for the work to be undertaken? What if a part on the monies earned was to be used to cover the food and accommodations during their imprisonment? What if part of the monies went towards restitution for the victims of their crimes? What if part of the monies went to their families...particularly children? What if part of the monies were kept to be handed over on their release from prison? What if the work to be done included such things as cleaning and maintenance of Government Buildings and Public Spaces?

Just something to think on...

When is my Rainy-day?

Growing up in Jamaica, as a Generation X’er, we are told “tek yuh book”, “get ah gud wuk” and “save fi ah rainy-day”. But it would seem these are no longer being told to the children of the 90’s. The flossing, bling and hype have become the order of the day aided and abetted by the internet and the advent of social media.

Well, actually I think it all started with remittances and the “barrel-babies”. Why go to school or get a job when money and kicks ah cum from foreign? It seems a no-brainer to me at least. And from a practical and objective perspective it should make sense to the reasonable person. Of course one would have to park the usual sensibilities for a minute or two.

Now, arising this change in behavior are the issues on reduction in the contributions to the National Insurance Scheme. This has been fueling growing concerns about its solvency and future viability. There has also been concerns about the number of working Jamaicans that are actively contributing to a private pension plan…or in other words “save fi ah rainy-day”. That being, when they are no longer able to work. The last published data, from the Financial Services Commission as at September 2015, is that a mere 8.92% of Employed Labour Force [link] are covered by a private pension arrangement.

So, if there is no change to the remittance and “barrel-babies” culture, there will be precious very savings for the proverbial “rainy-day”.

Jamaica: Land of Contradictions

Jamaica is such a lovely place. And in this loveliness there is so much contradictions. I think our contemporary philosopher Ernie Smith puts quite aptly in his piece "That's the kind of people we are".

Jamaica: Vision 2030

Guiding Principles

Vision 2030 Jamaica aims at enabling Jamaica to achieve developed country status by 2030. It is based on seven Guiding Principles which put people at the centre of Jamaica’s development, as shown below.

1. Transformational leadership
2. Partnership  
3. Transparency and accountability  
4. Social cohesion
5. Equity  
6. Sustainability  
7. Sustainable urban and rural development

They give priority attention to elements that are essential to delivering a world-class quality of life for all Jamaicans and reflect the key pillars of change needed to realize the Vision for our nation.

Goals

GOAL 1

Jamaicans are Empowered to Achieve Their Fullest Potential

GOAL 2

The Jamaican Society is Secure, Cohesive and Just

GOAL 3

Jamaica's Economy is Prosperous

GOAL 4

Jamaica has a Healthy Natural Environment

Wondering how is the country progressing? Click here

Read the full details at http://www.vision2030.gov.jm/

The proposed Sexual Harassment law: What you must know

Recently a Bill entitled "Sexual Harassment Act, 2015" was tabled in the Parliament of Jamaica. The Act's stated objectives are to create the necessary legislative framework for identifying and treating with issues of sexual harassment "which is employment related, occurring in institutions or arising in the landlord and tenant relationship".

The Bill defines "sexual advances" as distinct from "sexual harassment" which it defines as "the making of any sexual advance towards a person, by another person, which is reasonably regarded as unwelcome, offensive or humiliating by the towards whom the sexual advance is made, and references to the term "sexually harass" shall be construed accordingly".

The Bill lists the duties of an employer in regards to the Prevention of Sexual Harassment as:

1. An employer shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that his Workers are not sexually harassed in the course of their employment.
2. A person who is in charge of an institution shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that the students, residents, wards, inmates, patients or members, as the case may be, of that institution, not sexually harassed.

It also stipulates that a "policy statement" be issued and that steps be "reasonably" taken bring the policy statement to the attention to all stakeholders.

If there is one thing every employer must do...it is acquaint themselves with the contents of this Bill and start to sensitize there employees on what the law is likely to be. A word to the wise is sufficient.