Amid matters relating to crime, education, environment and the fallout from the global economic crisis, experts from various interest groups have advised and made significant impact on Jamaica’s recovery in 2022 via the National Partnership Council.

The National Partnership Council (NPC) is a social dialogue between the Government of Jamaica and the trade union movement, the Opposition, private sector and representatives from women, youth, environmental and academic groups.

Floyd Green, minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, who has been assigned by the prime minister to oversee the National Partnership, said social dialogue is a must to harmonise policies and measures taken to improve the Jamaican society.

NEW PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

He credited the National Partnership for aiding Jamaica in its COVID-19 response, leading to Jamaica seeing one of the fastest recoveries in the region and the world.

In September 2022, a new partnership agreement for the National Partnership Council was signed titled ‘A Social Partnership Agreement 2022-2026 – Partnership for Jamaica’s Strong and Sustainable Recovery’, which operates under five strategic pillars – Prosperity, Peace, People, Planet and Partnerships.

The agreement, which places focus on the protection of the natural environment, has so far been a key guide at the NPC in resolving the environmental issues.

The NPC has engaged its experts on environmental matters who have advised of the steps needed to be taken following the August 2022 Rio Cobre pollution incident. Following this, the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation updated the partnership on the Rio Cobre matter and advised of the formation of an environment economic assessment taskforce, while assuring the Council that the fisher folk affected will be compensated as the Government of Jamaica continues to protect the country’s lands and oceans and provides assistance to those who are impacted by natural hazards and unnatural disasters.

Council members are helping the discussions move forward.

The year 2022 also saw the declaration of October 25 as Jamaica’s National Partnership Day, a move to promote the importance and celebrate the benefits of social dialogue, social partnership, and the National Partnership.

NO ECONOMIC RECOVERY WITHOUT PARTNERSHIP

Green said Jamaica’s National Partnership has guided the country through tough economic times since 2007 and that, with this guidance, the nation has emerged without long-term disruption between people and Government.

Green has reiterated his charge for the partners of the agreement to ensure that they continue to work in synergy to provide sustainable solutions for the country’s challenges.

He emphasized that there can be no economic recovery and sustainability without partnership.

“Jamaica continues to ensure that there is high-level commitment from all stakeholders to work towards improving the nation’s key issues, as social dialogue enhances the likelihood of reforms being implemented and sustained to the benefit of our people,” Green stated.