Businessman laments youth’s reluctance to work

Portland businessman Telief ‘Peter’ Hall has identified one of the key challenges of 2024 as the difficulty in getting young people to join the workforce.

Hall runs the fine-dining restaurant Roots 21 with his siblings Aubyn and Owen and he is also an events promoter.

“I have had vacancies that needed to be filled at the restaurant and also at my entertainment events, which proved to be a challenge,” he told The Gleaner as he reflected on the past year.

“It was hard to get young people to work, as they were simply not interested in joining the workforce. And this was replicated all over the parish. Just about every business person that I spoke to was having the same experience. I found out that as a result of the remittances that they were getting, they preferred to sit around and wait for that money to come from overseas or elsewhere in Jamaica, instead of earning it for themselves,” Hall added.

He also noted that transitioning the business to online advertising and promotions post-COVID presented its own set of challenges.

Additionally, weather patterns such as intense drought, hurricanes, and flooding had a negative impact on many businesses.

“But there were some positives in terms of getting back-to-back cruise ships and also getting three cruise ships in less than a week, along with the reopening of Boston Jerk Centre under a more structured approach,” he told The Gleaner.

While Hall expressed frustration with the difficulties of 2024, his outlook for 2025 is optimistic. With the road improvement project from Harbour View, St Andrew, to Port Antonio, Portland, nearing completion, he is hopeful for a boost in investment, particularly in the Airbnb sector, which he believes is much needed.

“This parish is slated for economic growth and the upgrading of the road network will create all of that. Already the signs are clear and investors are eyeing this parish. As a matter of fact, already, there is improvement in hospitality as it relates to the local people taking steps to transform their homes into Airbnb. And there is a consorted effort on the part of other business operators to upgrade their establishment to the highest standard,” he noted.

In the meantime, chairman of the Portland Chapter of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Larry Robertson, reflected on the challenges faced by farmers in 2024, including a breach of a court order to host a JAS annual general meeting

Robertson also highlighted the difficulties caused by the drought and other disasters.

“Farmers did not get the necessary assistance during 2024, which left them at a disadvantage,” he said.

“They were also hard hit by Hurricane Beryl and, subsequent to that, they were ravaged by more than eight weeks of heavy rainfall, which resulted in flooding of their farmlands. They lost crops, livestock, and, in some instances, their homes were damaged. Assistance promised is not yet forthcoming, and it has left a bitter taste in their mouths,” Robertson said.

“Nothing was done for the farmers in Portland, especially those in the Rio Grande Valley. However, there was some improvement in the local healthcare and cruise ship arrival also improved, “ Robertson reflected.

Looking ahead, Robertson is hopeful that the upcoming general election, regardless of the outcome, will lead to better communication and cooperation between farmers and government officials.

He also expressed optimism about the resurgence of tourism towards the end of 2024, with expectations that it will continue to grow in 2025.

Additionally, he believes the ongoing road improvements from Harbour View to Port Antonio will positively impact the local economy.

gareth.davis@gleanerjm.com