From Danny Roberts and Edward ChinMook

Programme 6:

✔ Workable (Roberts): In the free movement of labour, this is a good idea. The export of labour has been used successfully by India and China.

✘ Not Workable (ChinMook): At present, we are spending millions on overseas missions with very little to show.

In the last two years, the Small Business Association has not got any trade enquiries, information exchange or marketing opportunities to put to the sector.

Programme 7:

✔ Workable (Roberts): Another 2.5 million Jamaicans live overseas. The need to engage them meaningfully in the development process is long overdue.

✔ Workable (ChinMook):This is exactly what the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Karl Samuda had indicated he would be doing when the new administration took office.

Programme 8

✔ Workable (Roberts): An ambitious project which needs to get off the ground. There are tremendous benefits to flow from this to enhance Jamaica's sustainable development.

✘ Not Workable (ChinMook): 'Private Sector' waiting on the Government and 'Government' waiting on the private sector. Edward Seaga was a visionary, but what about his team? This is the concern.

Programmes 9 & 10

✔ Workable (Roberts): Long-term development strategies which link to Programme 8 and offer positive social, economic and political benefits for the next generation who will be straddled with the enormous debt we are mounting up.

✘ Not Workable (ChinMook): We need to take small steps; grand plans end in grand failure. For years, we have been talking and talking with the 'private sector' shying away from the risk.

Too much unemployment, illegal guns and political tribalism. A pre-intervention is required before or alongside this proposal.

In summary, all points above are well-intentioned; however, our fundamental problem is the Constitution which governs Jamaica. There are too many loopholes for political abuse. Thus, any attempt to transform the country is a gamble.

Danny Roberts is vice-president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions.

Edward ChinMook, is president of the Small Business Association of Jamaica.