Jamaica: Jobs grow by 15% in BPO Sector

Jamaica: Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Aubyn Hill, notified that the number of jobs in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector boosted by 15 % over the past year, with 44,000 people engaged in the sector as of June 30, 2021.Notably, This compares to the corresponding period in 2020, which saw 38,400 persons being employed.He further noted that this increase in jobs happened despite the economy shrinking by over 10 percent amid the same period.“I am extremely happy to tell Jamaicans that in the year to June 30, 2021, the BPO Services sector took in US$780 million to the Jamaican economy. That’s no small sneeze amid a time when our economy was shrinking,” he said, while making his gift to the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate, on July 16 2021.Mr. Hill emphasised that the Government truly recognises the commitment of cash, management & energy that the 87 operators in the sector, including 10 Fortune 500 companies, have made to Jamaica and the thousands of jobs these investors have given for so many Jamaicans.“This Ministry of Economic Growth and Job invention will continue to do everything in our power, and inside the law to give the support and ease-of-operation these investors need to run their businesses,” he said.Mr. Hill further pointed out that growth plans for the sector include nine new sites across Jamaica by existing players, figuring that “there is a new investor who is about to set up a 70-seat facility in the Montego Bay region.”Jamaica, a Caribbean island country, has a lush topography of mountains, rainforests and reef-lined beaches. Jamaica is famed as the country of reggae music, and its capital Kingston is home to the Bob Marley Museum, devoted to the famous singer.