JCTU suggests gov't uses primary surplus excess to fund crime-fighting initiatives

The president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU), Helene Davis White, is proposing that government use the excess from the primary surplus to fund initiatives to combat crime.

In reacting to a suggestion that contribution refunds from the National Housing Trust (NHT) be discontinued and redirected to fund crime, Davis White said that wouldn't be acceptable since many contributors are unable to qualify for a housing benefit and getting the contribution refund is the only reprieve for them. 

Instead, the JCTU president says the government's primary surplus is running way ahead of the 7.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) target and the excess could be channelled toward funding this important effort.

Davis White says crime is the biggest impediment to economic growth in Jamaica and she doesn't think there would be much objection to using a portion of the excess from the primary surplus to fund crime fighting.