Tag: IMF

PSOJ is concerned, but: What is the real reason for Jamaica’s postponement of local government elections?

February 15, 2023

Yes, the economy is important, and the Holness administration is patting itself on the back, understandably, at the latest report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – which points out that Jamaica has struck “the right balance” in responding to challenges and what they call external shocks. Attention must be paid to climate change vulnerabilities … More PSOJ is concerned, but: What is the real reason for Jamaica’s postponement of local government elections?

‘No change expected; ex-IMF economist says BOJ rate hikes to continue’ Jamaica Observer article-March 18, 2022

March 20, 2022

Originally posted on Jamaica: Political Economy:
I’m chilling with my family in Southern California, but got a message to offer some comments on the US Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate announcement. They were used for the article below, published in today’s Jamaica Observer: WHEN the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) monetary policy committee releases its policy…

The JCF and Accountability: A Policeman Speaks Out; and Three Opportunities For Change

April 13, 2018

Originally posted on Right Steps & Poui Trees:
Listen to Nationwide News Network’s special report “Hidden Culture”. It is narrated by Nationwide’s Marjorie Gordon and centres on an interview with a serving member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). It is a chilling account of the ways in which extrajudicial killings are carried out and…

The Lie that is Emancipendence

August 8, 2017

I am sharing a couple more perspectives on Jamaica’s Independence Day (August 6), which merges with Emancipation Day (August 1) to become “Emancipendence.” Here is the first one – a very jaded view from a young Jamaican, who is looking for so much more… Source: The Lie that is Emancipendence

Monitoring the IMF Agreement: Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left) joins Minister of Finance and the Public Service Audley Shaw (right) in congratulating JMMB’s Group CEO Keith Duncan (second left), and head of the Hugh Lawson Shearer Trade Union Education Institute Danny Roberts, on their appointment to co-chair the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) and the Public Sector Transformation Oversight Committee, respectively. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Public Sector Transformation Oversight Committee Moves Ahead

January 20, 2017

Public sector rationalization (“transformation” sounds a little softer) is firmly on the 2017 agenda for Prime Minister Andrew Holness. If you may recall, last year’s Three-Year Precautionary Stand-By Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) supported the Jamaican Government’s goal to “re-orient public resource allocation toward infrastructure, social protection, and security-related spending, while transforming the public … More Public Sector Transformation Oversight Committee Moves Ahead

Plastic Rice, Peter Gives Way to Peter, and Runaway Rains Bring Chaos: December 16, 2016

December 16, 2016

Life seems one great big rush, with Christmas just over a week away. There seem to be a few more Christmas parties than usual going on. Are people spending more money? It’s hard to say. The streets are clogged with traffic and stores in Kingston are getting full, but whether there is much business going … More Plastic Rice, Peter Gives Way to Peter, and Runaway Rains Bring Chaos: December 16, 2016

Jamaicans for Justice Welcomes Plan to Reform Policing Legislation

November 23, 2016

Security issues have been weighing heavily on us recently, and our relatively new Minister of National Security is seeking to find a way to make fundamental changes. “Band-aids” are easy to apply, but soon fall off. As I have noted in this blog many times before, serious and long-term reform is needed, and the sooner … More Jamaicans for Justice Welcomes Plan to Reform Policing Legislation