The Editor, Sir.,

The blocking of the Rockfort main road in the vicinity of the Caribbean Cement Company last week by employees of the Caribbean Cement Company in protest over pension benefits filled me with great unease. It seemed rather un-believable to see a tractor with driver on board blocking the roadway leading from the Norman Manley International Airport, and people hauling their suitcases along the road towards the airport. I wonder whether the protesters know that it is illegal to block roads in this country. Did they not fear any legal action? Or did they not care about anyone but themselves? How could people find the nerve to block the road to the airport, doing so in full view of a TV camera?

With plans afoot by the Government for Jamaica to attract investment and foreign investors, it is certainly not helpful to have the corridor to any of our international airports blocked. This is not good news to the world. The blatant disregard for the rule of law must be met with resolute and prohibitive sanctions. I believe the blocking of the Rockfort main road, which is the main route to the Norman Manley International Airport, must be the proverbial last straw that breaks the camel's back, for Government to move decisively to arrest the disregard for the laws of this country.

Investors need to know that when they enter Jamaica, they will find a society where the law of the land is upheld. Investors must feel confident that the corridors of access to and from our airports are kept clear by the forces of our state, so that they can get their business done without obstruction. It is easy to imagine that perhaps even one investor in the midst of many ordinary Jamaicans who also have business to do, would have lost out on a once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity due to missing a flight.

The intervention of the Minister of Labour and Social Security, the Honourable Pearnel Charles, did well to arrange a meeting to hear the concerns of the protesters so as to come to some conclusion. But the bigger picture seemed to have been lost. The blocking of our roads constitutes a roadblock to investment in this country.

I am, etc.,

DAVID ALLEN

dallen72@gmail.com

Kingston 3

Via Go-Jamaica