The Editor, Sir:

Recently, the ministry of social security announced increases in the application and processing fees for work permits.

The hike in fees seemed justified if we take the view that there are foreigners here taking jobs away from Jamaicans. This is not altogether true.

Take, for example, a church, which has been struggling to find enough Jamaican pastors to fill various appointments, week after week, or social workers, who have given up jobs in their own countries to come here and help our citizens.

Other volunteers

There are many foreign nationals here, who have given up much in their countries to serve the Jamaican people and they pay their taxes, too. I believe in trying to streamline the process, we have gone overboard.

Yes, we must find the wholesale, in-bond shops, factories and work sites who have been misusing the process in order to bring in cheap labour. However, we must also recognise that there are others who have volunteered to be here and are helping in the development on the nation. It cannot be that the good has to suffer for the bad. Mr minister, please reconsider.

I am, etc.,

CHRISTOPHER McCATTY

mccattychristopher@hotmail.com

P.O. Box 24,

Moneague, St Ann

Via Go-Jamaica