Unemployment is a *****

I am a newly unemployed individual in the island of Jamaica. I was made redundant due to organizational restructuring (or so they say).  I have always known the heart rending process of seeking gainful employment as I have encountered quite a few individuals who have been seeking work. The climate in some organizations in Jamaica is of such . . . If you do not know somebody who is able to assist you in getting a foot into an organization, then "dog nyam you supper" as it will be a tedious and drawn out process as it is for me. A young woman, trying to complete my University degree, but each time as I approach that mark, I hit a bump, this time around, with roughly one and a half year to go, I have hit the unemployment mark, with no funding to complete my studies.

It was mentioned to me that on average it would take a "qualified" individual three months to acquire gainful employment, as for me . . . well . . . I am at my three month mark, with more frustrations than ever before. From being called into the Human Resources Manager's office on the Monday to be told that effective the Tuesday, September 30, 2014 would be my last day, I have been seeking employment. I have lost track of the countless resumes that I have sent out, I have lost track of the nights and days that I comb the newspapers and websites, I have lost track of the countless cold call resumes that I have sent out only to be called on three interviews. To give a grand idea of the ridiculousness that I, Pending degree in Marketing with a Minor in Administrative and Information Systems Management, and I with over seven years work experience in various aspects face. One interviewer was begging me to take the job which would pay me $40,000.00 a month before tax, to supervise his staff, market his company, reconstruct his website, develop a Facebook page for his organization and also to launch a new product that they are about to delve into to varying organizations. Please to note, I am not averse to work, I enjoy work, I was looking forward to those tasks, but they could only be achieved if I was to work from home. The proposed funds would not have me at work for the entire month, maybe a week at most. and not to forget, any vehicle that I have access to, is an asset to the organization, for the same funds.

According to articles published on the JIS website dated November 5, 2014, it has been reported that unemployment has declined by 11% (well as of July) oh the irony of ironies (to borrow a phrase from The Polished Hoe) why are jobs still so hard to get? Why are employers utilizing the phrase of  "oh the economic climate" when they know that they are not affected by it (except for the chikungunya outbreak that decreased production drastically for many).

What about creating my own employment? I have been attempting that avenue, let me see how much fruit will be born from that tree. To extract a paragraph from an article published in The Gleaner dated February 19, 2014 by Dr. Andre` Haughton:

Unemployment among youth and women has increased despite a fall in the overall unemployment rate. More adult men have been given jobs relative to young people and women. Growth projections for this year are positive; therefore, we expect a further reduction in the unemployment rate for this year as well. Overall, the onus is on us to create jobs of our own via entrepreneurship and enterprising. In this modern world, it is useless to sit and rely on others, including the Government, to create employment opportunities on our behalf. 

 http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140219/lead/lead94.html

http://jis.gov.jm/statin-reports-11-per-cent-decline-unemployment/

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/PHOTO--Long-line-for-hotel-jobs