PRIME MINISTER Portia Simpson Miller has told members of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) that she will be relying on them for support in the fight against crime and violence.
She said that, in so doing, they should help with job creation and community development. Mrs. Simpson Miller was speaking with representatives of the PSOJ during a meeting at Jamaica House on Thursday.
She said crime was a serious challenge for the country and that if there were more jobs available, more persons would have a choice and an opportunity to better their lives.
RESOCIALISATION
She said resocialisation would have to be a critical factor of the redevelopment process and should be placed at the top of the agenda for all entities including schools and non-governmental and community-based organisations.
Mrs. Simpson Miller said the Social Development Commission, which has been brought under the Office of the Prime Minister, would have to take the lead to drive the change process and empower communities.
Prime Minister Simpson Miller said there were a number of matters on which the PSOJ and the Government could collaborate including education, where the private sector could support efforts to reform the education system and create a first-class workforce.
Another area cited by the Prime Minister was for work to be done on accelerating the approvals process for investments.
President of the PSOJ, Beverley Lopez, assured the Prime Minister of the organisation's support and that the membership stood ready to do whatever it could to help in the country's development.
In the meantime, the Prime Minister said she would take another look at the tripartite Partnership for Progress agreement.
