Life getting worse - Jamaicans not optimistic of seeing better days soon

 Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

A majority of Jamaicans do not harbour expectations of the clouds lifting to make way for a brighter socio-economic landscape this year, a survey commissioned by the Jamaica National Building Society has found.

The survey, which focused on topical issues and was undertaken last month by Johnson Survey Research Limited, found that by a significant 8:1 ratio, Jamaicans were pessimistic about the turn that the country was taking, with unemployment and crime grabbing the spotlight.

The survey also found that 75 per cent of the 1,008 Jamaicans interviewed believes their personal economic situation has worsened, with an insignificant one per cent saying it's much better.

Another 11 per cent is of the view that life is a little better, while 17 per cent said it has remained the same.

DECLINE IN ECONOMIC STANDING

Nearly half the persons interviewed between December 7 and 15 said their economic standing deteriorated, while 22 indicated that it has got marginally worse.

This finding is hardly surprising to Matthew Samuda, a prominent member of Generation 2000 (G2K), an affiliate of the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), as well as noted trade unionist Danny Roberts.

"Government has done little to inspire confidence or to provide hope," said Samuda. "In reality, what we have had from them is many mixed messages, coupled with a weak growth agenda … . Hence, most Jamaicans would naturally not expect improvement but have a bleak outlook."

Samuda said to make matters worse, recent issues around the agro parks and the lacklustre approach to the logistics hub have further weakened confidence.

The survey stated that 74 per cent of Jamaicans surveyed believes things are heading in the wrong direction in Jamaica these days, while nine per cent are of the view that life will improve.

The provision of jobs and troubling unemployment levels top the list of worrying issues by Jamaicans, with 48 per cent indicating that they would like the Government to do more to tackle these challenges.

"People's perceptions reflect their own realities and, therefore, give a strong indication to the Government that its policies are not benefiting them," said Roberts. "I am certainly not surprised at the [survey's] results because this has been the general expression from the man in the street."

Roberts said critical features of growth strategies in recent times have included an emphasis on employment and income distribution and these required deliberate policy intervention to complement the objective growth indicators.

"What is absent from the mix are active labour-market policies to address wage employment, stagnant wage growth, weak aggregate demand, and labour-market segmentation," he said.

The trade unionist suggested that the Planning Institute of Jamaica should undertake a survey to capture people's perception as to whether the country is moving in the right direction to meet its Vision 2030 objectives.

"That needs to form part of the frame to complement the dashboard of economic indicators to see what policies are necessary to bring the human side of development into the centre," said Roberts.

As is expected, the disturbing issue of perennial crime is another major focus, with 42 per cent stressing that the Government must tackle crime and violence more effectively.

And with Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Peter Phillips appearing to be moving decisively to address the country's economic ills, only six per cent of Jamaicans perceived this as a worrying issue at this time.