Lloyd Goodleigh, Contributor

The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions supports the concept of a country-owned macroeconomic policy. However, we have reservation how we contemplate its formulation and the absence of a clearly articulated objective. We are oftentimes unsure of what is being maximised.

What is the purpose of macro-economics stabilisation, of structural adjustment, of the transition to a market economy? Is it economic growth or a combination of efficiency and equity? And, if so, what kind of efficiency and equity? In many instances, macroeconomic policy is formulated on the basis of some presumed good rather than some explicit, clearly stated objectives. Jamaica, after 25 years of macroeconomic experimentation, has to be more explicit about what it is seeking.

ECONOMIC STABILITY

The fact is that Jamaica has attempted or flirted with all the recommended policies that centred on economic stability and inflation management, fiscal discipline, re-direction of public expenditure, tax reform, liberalisation of interest rates, trade liberalisation - competitive exchange rates, liberalisation of capital flows, privatisation, deregulation. These were all disguised under various nomenclatures: structural adjustment loan programme, enhanced structural adjustment and the most recent wrinkle - poverty reduction strategy - reduction and growth facility.

Jamaica has still failed to generate the rate of economic growth and the social stability that is required in a globalised world. We need an urgent debate about our macroeconomic framework and possible alternative economic growth scenarios.

We are of the view that the concept of 'decent work' offers Jamaica the opportunity to correct the shortcomings.

DIMENSIONS OF DECENT WORK

The definition of decent work has 'opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity' explicitly includes six dimensions. First, opportunity for work refers to the need for all persons who want work to be able to find work, since decent work is obviously not possible without work itself. The underlying concept of work is a broad one, encompassing all forms of economic activity, including self-employment, unpaid family work and wage employment in the informal and formal sectors.

Second, the idea of work in conditions of freedom underscores the fact that work should be freely chosen - i.e., not forced on individuals - and that certain forms of work are unacceptable in the 21st century.

Specifically, this means that bonded labour, slave labour and the worst forms of child labour should be eliminated in accordance with applicable international conventions. It also means that workers should be free from discrimination.

Third, productive work is essential for workers to have acceptable livelihoods for themselves and their families, as well as to ensure sustainable development and the competitiveness of enterprises and countries.

Fourth, the notion of equity in work represents workers' need to enjoy fair and equitable treatment and opportunity in work. It encompasses absence of discrimination at work and in access to work, and the possibility of balancing work with family life.

Fifth, security at work is a reminder of the need to safeguard health, pensions and livelihoods, and to provide adequate financial and other protection in the event of sickness and other contingencies. It also recognises workers' need to limit the insecurity associated with the possibility of loss of work and livelihood.

Sixth, dignity at work requires that workers be treated with respect at work, and that they be able to voice their concerns and participate in decision making about their own working conditions. An essential aspect of this is workers' freedom to represent their interests collectively.

The first two dimensions of decent work - opportunities for work and freedom of choice of employment - are concerned with the availability and basic acceptability of work. The other four dimensions - productive work, equity, security and dignity - are concerned with the extent to which available and freely accepted work is 'decent'.

The challenges of the implementation of the 'decent work' concept in the Caribbean has been clearly recognised. Owen Arthur, former prime minister of Barbados, states: "The creation of a single economic space in the Caribbean, must therefore embrace a process which seeks to decrease the 'decent work deficit' wherever it exists, and which maintains a commitment to the respect for workers' rights and the fair treatment of workers without regard for nationality, socio-economic background or race."

INDISTINGUISHABLE

Therefore, the notion that economic policies and social policies' objectives are separate things should be rejected. They are indistinguishable. Even within Jamaica's resource constraints, we must include labour market issues on labour demand/labour supply and efficient labour market functioning in our macroeconomic framework.

Decent work must be placed at the centre of sauce-economic policies - employment policies - knowledge and training/skills development.

There is a decent work deficit in Jamaica and the CSME and it must be corrected.

The fact is that the level of employment is a macroeconomic issue. It is dependent on the rate and composition of growth. It calls for fiscal and exchange rate policies that can sustain the highest level of demand for labour.

PRODUCTIVITY

We have to reduce poverty by raising productivity of the poor through better education, training, health and social protection, better occupational health and safety, and work organisation.

We would remind policymakers of the much-vaunted 'Miracle of the Celtic Tiger', Ireland's extraordinary economic development, their Social Partnership Programme recovery (1987-1990). The main features were: