Employment Puzzle Analysis

After reading an article by Senator Chris Tufton, I could understand why the learned Senator is puzzled but there is a possible explanation. I would like to provide that explanation and some analysis.

Two quotes from the article read as follows.

“SENATOR Christopher Tufton wants the Statistical Institute (STATIN) and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) to explain why official figures show that while unemployment is being reduced, the number of young people not seeking work continues to grow.”

According to the Jamaica Observer Senator Chris Tufon said that of a population of over 665,000 people who are 14 years old and older, 325,000 were in the "did not want to work" category and placed outside the labour force.

Please note I do not support or condone any of these professions I am about to outline as I am just presenting a case. When a field officer attempts to ask persons what they do, the responses cannot be noted or voiced due to their sometimes illegitimate or unacceptable nature. However it seems clear that a lot of people especially the youth are involved in these areas.

Here are few:

Human Terminators
AKA: Gunman

For the right price and conditions they will terminate or shoot or just threaten.

Requirements: steady hand, ability to shoot well, drive and or ride(powerful motorcycles) skillfully, explosives expert ( just in case a car/house needs to be burnt) , access to a white Toyota Motorcar for drive-by shootings and finally the ability to liaise with the wrong cops in the police force is an asset.

Comments: A small number but no one is sure. They could number in their hundreds. Lifespan is usually 30 years.

Professional Fund Raisers
AKA: Beggars

Involved in raising funds by generating a credible story of need.

Requirements: Psychology (use of babies and wheel chairs to bring a feeling of pity)

Comments: Thousands. One threatened to sue the Jamaica Star for loss of income after his revenue fell after it was discovered that he could walk even if it was with clutches. There are few genuine ones.

Transporter
AKA: Thief

Move any product or good once the price is right. This includes containers, "Dried Herbs", Cows, motor cars, and auto parts you name it.

Requirements: Mechanical Engineering, Work in darkness, work late nights and ability to work long hours, Physics (must be able to get a grown cow in a Toyota Townace) and allow things to disappear without a trace.

Comments: If you have not suffered at the hands of these in someway that would be strange. They are everywhere, in the offices, buses and on the streets.

Back up man
AKA: Hustler

Gently encourage and sometimes forcibly get commuters to full the buses or taxis at the Transport depots.

Requirements: Marketing, Psychology and Ability to pack 7/8 persons in a vehicle for 5

Comments: Thousands employed and the field is getting crowded as they can be found at every bus terminus or major transport depot or point island wide. Talk about productivity they earn based on what they produce

Professional Mistress
AKA: unprintable

Manage 2 or more men at the same time. They are always travelling to see an aunt(of course another man).

Requirements: Psychology, Physiology, Communications Skills, must be able to spot the right man to take advantage of.

Comments: no number is really known but this could be in the thousands. They are always wearing the latest styles in clothing, shoes, nails and hair. They are often seen in their numbers at late night parties. There is also a rise in the number of the male counterparts to this profession.

Professional Gambler
AKA:

Along with betting on English, American and local horse racing they also provide coverage and in depth analysis of this sport. They are early risers and the last ones to close the bars.

Requirements: Statistics, Risk Analysis and Management Skills

Comments: Betting shops are like bars in Jamaica they are everywhere and the numbers employed in this area must be in the thousands.

Community Watchman
AKA:

Responsible for keeping an eye out for intruders, police or others and sounding an alarm

Requirements: Dog like ears (to pick police frequencies), OWL's and eagle's eyes (ability to see the enemy (police) from a mile off.
Comments: numbers are unknown; DCP Marc Shields discovered them in Tivoli.

Homeland Security Officer
AKA: Community Leader, Don

Organise community treats & threats , back to school funding, and other fund raisers. Provide protection for your home or office from those who request it. Please don’t use the word extortion. You request assistance they help. If you don't well they are not responsible for what happens to your home or business place.

Requirements/Skills: Management, Human Resource Development, must be a people person

Comments: Threatened with extinction through Operation KingFish and human terminators but still present in a smaller scale. The death of these individuals usually ignites protests, riots and chaotic situations.

Crowd Multipliers
AKA: political supporters

At a moment’s notice they can don or burn their orange or green shirts. They are available any hour of the day in any parish once transport is provided.

Requirements: Ability to wave flags, dance and sing if necessary. Strong men needed to carry political leaders aloft in the air when needed. Often seen too when homeland security officers or alleged human terminators are killed.

If you know any of those professions that would not qualify for the official Statin (i.e. Government) employment survey please let me know.

I have suggested why that was the best answer for many of those 325,000 as they are otherwise “employed” . No wonder unemployment is down.