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Introduction
Mr Speaker, at last year’s budget presentation, I noted that over the two years
and four months of the PNP administration, the condition of the lives of the
citizens of Jamaica had sharply worsened. This month marks approximately three
years and three months since the PNP has been running the affairs of the country
and the condition of the lives of the citizens of Jamaica has continued to sharply
worsen from where it was at last year’s Budget. And that is the sad truth.
This government is presiding over an intolerable state of affairs where social
services are crumbling, and workers in both the public and private sectors are
entirely involved in a daily struggle to make ends meet in order to take care of
their families.
A 34% devaluation of the Jamaican dollar over the past three years and 3 months
has led to a sharp deterioration in the purchasing power of the average citizen
who has had to cope with average 40% increases in the price of basic
commodities needed for daily survival.
Public sector workers have endured a wage freeze for several years and private
sector workers are not faring much better as their salaries are not keeping pace
with the slide in the exchange rate.
In consequence, poverty and depravity stalk the land which is manifesting itself in
increasing hustling to make ends meet, while the welfare of our children – our
very future – is being systematically compromised.
In this presentation, I will first discuss the state of the nation highlighting the
realities that we face. I will examine the fiscal responsibility framework, the