Local Business Leaders Finding it Difficult to Retain Skilled Labour

Local business leaders say they’re facing an uphill battle retaining workers.

They say more of their skilled staff is being lured by better paying jobs and opportunities both locally and internationally.

The problem is worse for companies with branches outside of Kingston and Montego Bay, where skilled workers are harder to find.

Shaloy Smikle reports.

Worker retention is increasingly a problem in the country.

The loss of local talent is especially felt across the health and education sectors as teachers and healthcare workers migrate for better paying jobs.

And despite many attempts to up-skill and re-skill Jamaicans to boost productivity, local businesses say they too, are facing the same challenge.

Three local business leaders highlighted the concerns during a panel discussion on Consumer and Business confidence on Tuesday.

CEO of Hardware and Lumber Limited, Sudu Ramani, says many skilled Jamaicans prefer working at Call Centres where the pay is more attractive.

CEO of National Rums of Jamaica Limited, Martha Miller, says the problem is worse for companies with branches outside the major cities.

She says finding skilled labourers to operate in rural parishes is a challenge.

And CEO of Kingston Wharves Limited, Mark Williams, says his company has had to resort to future-proof retention policies to keep trained workers.