Readers’ reactions

Large BPO firm Ibex closes two contact centres, slashes desks by a third

Let’s not make more of this than it merits. These global outsourcing companies are very susceptible to changing economic environments. It’s a mobile and highly transient business. Just like the old 807 garment factories – employs many but one policy shift and they lose contracts. – @Zemi66

Which is why when we’re talking about meaningful job creation, I don’t wanna hear anything about BPOs. – @Shayla_x

This is super duper very not good. – @blazhan_

Can’t say I didn’t see this coming. – @OhSullyVan

I expected this with the rise of AI but not this soon. – @sonof876

Saw that coming, their business model never made sense to me. – @Kemz876_

Feel it for them. Question is, is this a sign of change to come? – @frankgriz

Well, this is interesting. I feel it for all those who’d be out of a job though. – @Shauna_Gee

What now? As much as I wasn’t keen on the way call centres paid pittance to people at times, it was a source of income to many. If this is a trend with other companies what’s the next venture in job sourcing in Jamaica? – @jonjnicholson

Unemployment rate gonna go back up now and dem wa come tell people breed to save population. Mi nah look KMT. – @eehrasta

Peeps go get a skill, trust me. Can’t lose. – @mikhailsamuels

Wow! This will affect a lot of individuals. – @honey_kellzi

My concern is these buildings that were constructed for these call centres … concrete jungle. And we never learnt from COVID-19 [about] WFH/remote working, so what will they be used for? It seems we are going back to the ‘freezone’ days, where when that sector collapsed, these buildings were left vacant. – @aleciabennettbryan

BPO was never the solution to our job crisis in Jamaica, it was a short term solution to the long lasting problem. The wages were too low and there are other countries who will take the cheap labour. – @the_wasabi_

Pump money in the agro-industry and agricultural plantation islandwide. You cannot lose because that is for eternity. – @mikkikirlew

What is it that we produce, manufacture or offer as goods and services? It’s time we start setting up our own Jamaican BPO to start selling brand Jamaica. We need to start investing in science, technology, and engineering. AI will eventually start take over some of these jobs. – @1welgram

Readers’ reactions sourced from The Gleaner’s X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram pages. Compiled by Khanique McDaniel