Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

Kellier

DERRICK KELLIER, the Opposition spokesman on labour and social security, yesterday labelled the Bruce Golding administration as "wicked", and chided it for numerous job losses across the country.

"Since this administration, since this wicked, this wicked set of people took over ... over 5,000 workers have gone home, under Labour (Jamaica Labour Party)," Kellier, who represents South St James, said in his contribution to the 2008-2009 Sectoral Debate.

The People's National Party (PNP) member of parliament had deviated from his script in making the comments, as he responded to crosstalk from members on the Government benches.

Job losses

Kellier, who served as minister of labour and social security in the last PNP administration, charged that there have been job losses in the bauxite sector, the civil service and the state-owned National Solid Waste Management Authority, as well as pending cuts at the National Housing Trust (NHT).

Government member Gregory Mair argued that the Government was rescuing the NHT, which is said to be in danger of becoming insolvent in five years.

Labour Minister Pearnel Charles, as well as Government member Everald Warmington, also got fiery when Kellier expressed disappointment with the decision to make redundant the positions of 450 employees of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC). Charles said the jobs had already gone down the drain, and that there were people at the JUTC who were collecting money and not doing any work.

Not amused

Kellier, however, was not amused.

"People who lose their jobs are hurting. When you heard about 'jobs, jobs, jobs', it was jobless you were talking about," Kellier said.

"We are not saying that people should not be laid off but you really want a softer touch to it. It is being done in a heartless, callous manner," Kellier added.

"Jobs, jobs and more jobs is what we need to significantly impact the crime wave," the Opposition spokesman added.

Meanwhile, Kellier chided Government for the way in which he said expatriate workers were being treated, making reference to business people in downtown Kingston, who were recently seen on television being hauled out of their business places because they were not complying with the trade and tax laws.

"This country is served, not by draconian measures but through cooperation and frequent inspection to insure compliance," Kellier said.

However, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, retorted: "You must not encourage tax evasion."

He added: "The expatriates operators must follow the law. They must pay their taxes."

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com