The Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF), the organisation representing the interests of employers in their relationship with Government and organised labour and which represents more than 300 corporate and individual members, held its 27th annual Business and Workplace Convention May 21-24 at Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

The Gleaner spoke with some members about possible solutions to some of Jamaica's problems. Respondents were asked to choose from a list of problems or identify a problem and suggest possible solutions for that problem.

HIV/AIDS

Patricia Donald, manager, Jamaica Business Council on HIV and AIDS, a two-year-old initiative of the JEF:

The solution I feel will be complex and multi-pronged because the problem is complex and multifaceted. One solution I want to present as a business person is the commitment of private-sector companies to establishing clear policies on HIV in the workplace. That is, to indicate that they will not discriminate against staff who may become infected, that they will not use testing as a means of excluding people from employment, and they will commit to establishing ongoing training within the company that every worker from the lowest-level to the highest-level management will have information to protect him or herself from HIV, or if he or she is infected, to know what support mechanisms are available.

SQUATTING

Wayne Chen, JEF president and chairman of the Land Administration and Management Programme, the National Land Agency and the Urban Development Corporation:

My own approach would be to halt it (squatting) immediately, which would mean enforcing the laws that are currently on the books, because, as long as it exists, it's also a threat to private property, it's a threat to the environment.

The second thing we need to do is have an assessment of who are currently living in these communities and working with individuals and communities towards finding ways to regularise the situation. It might take years but we have to start.

CRIME

Anthony Russell, director of E-Jam (Employment Jamaica):

The Prime Minister conducted a crime study a few years ago (while he was leader of the Opposition). I think it was hailed as a major study and a very comprehensive study. One of the major recommendations from the study was that they should dismantle the garrisons.

The other day, they talked about protest over gas, but we should protest against the crime where people are being murdered all over for 15 to 20 years now. My solution is that the people should protest, march and demand that Government rid the country of this scourge.

ILLITERACY

Brian Rose, senior accountant at Seprod Limited:

I'm associated with football at the club level and I notice that the level of education for school leavers, especially the boys, is very poor. When they come to club level to play football and you ask them questions - spell their mother's name, name of the road they live on - they can't do it. Maybe this is the reason most of them resort to crime to try and get rich quick.

As a solution, the (education) programmes in the high schools need to be looked at. Make sure guys who go over to high school from primary school are assessed before they go to high school. I think that's where the major problem is.