We are excited to announce the publication of CAPRI’s new report, “Outside In: Increasing Participation in the Labour Force.” This report, made possible by HEART/NSTA’s leadership and financial support, will be launched tomorrow at the ROK Hotel in Kingston. Our Managing Director, Dr. Taneisha Ingleton, will be a panellist at the event
A Mature and Data-Driven Approach by our Leadership
This research and the resulting report were commissioned by our leadership and funded to address the critical issue of low labour force participation in Jamaica, despite the current low unemployment rates.
Key Highlights of the Report:
Current Labour Market Context: Jamaica’s unemployment rate dropped below 5% for the first time in 2023. However, approximately 35% of the eligible working-age population remains outside the labour force, including over 200,000 individuals aged 18 to 70 who are neither in school nor retired but capable of working.
Focus on Non-Participants: The report identifies and examines the reasons why these individuals are not participating in the labour force. It highlights that many are women with caregiving responsibilities, which prevent them from seeking employment.
Global and Local Insights: By analyzing global trends and interventions from other jurisdictions, the report provides valuable insights and recommendations on effective policy measures to encourage and facilitate employment for these non-participants.
Policy Recommendations:
One of the key recommendations is to address care responsibilities through targeted policies. This could enable a significant portion of the non-participating population, particularly women, to join the labour force, potentially increasing Jamaica’s GDP by 2%.
This report underscores our commitment to fostering economic growth and development through inclusive workforce participation.