CaPRI points out that examples of social partnership models can be found in various countries around the world, and usually include voluntary agreements between the Government, main employer groups and trade unions on issues surrounding wages, tax and welfare.

In countries where such models have been implemented successfully, CaPRI asserts, they have played a central role in economic strategies that have produced rapid and sustainable growth.

The group points to distant countries like Ireland, and nearer countries such as Barbados.

Over the last three months, CaPRI has researched how and why such programmes worked in Ireland and Barbados, but previously failed in Jamaica.

The report, which has been presented to Prime Minister Bruce Golding, is available at www.takingresponsibility.org and www.caribbean-council.org.