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NEW CHALLENGE: Portia Simpson Miller

JAMAICA’S PRIME minister Portia Simpson Miller yesterday challenged businesses to each employ at least one jobless, but qualified, Jamaican.

"This is one simple challenge to all business leaders," she said.

"Let us call it 'Jamaica Employ' and let us advance this partnership for our national development. We could immediately reduce unemployment by 40,000 over the short term, and I am sure, as Jamaicans, we can," she stated.

In noting that the only way to create jobs was to help support businesses that create jobs, the prime minister promised that any business that provides employment for the currently unemployed would see their efforts rewarded when they conduct business with the Government.

As part of their election promise, the People's National Party (PNP) had promised much-needed jobs for Jamaicans under its Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme.

Since it was announced in the months leading up to the general election, which the PNP won by a two-to-one margin, Jamaicans have been waiting to hear details of the programme and the strategy behind providing these jobs.