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Three out of every four Jamaicans believe that half of our politicians or more are corrupt (LAPOP 2017)

Corruption is increasing and public confidence in democratic institutions is declining

The official National Security Policy identifies corruption of elected public officials as the number one threat to national security

Corruption is repeatedly identified in the annual Global Competitiveness Report as among the most problematic factors for doing business in Jamaica

https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20190811/30-years-political-scandals-lack-adequate-accountability-corruption

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A recent report indicates corruption in Jamaica is costing their economy an estimated $738 million annually (2020).

Global Corruption Barometer finds 85% of Jamaicans regard the two major political parties (JLP and PNP) as corrupt, and over 70% are currently more aware of corruption (2020).

https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/editorial/full-time-to-change-public-corruption-in-jamaica/

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While the Jamaican government and Jamaicans generally deserve commendation for the great job in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic in that country, they are failing to control another devastating virus - public corruption.

In recent weeks, news from Jamaica has reported acts of corruption mostly based on nepotism and cronyism, involving senior government ministers, parish councilors, mayors, government and opposition members of parliament, members of government appointed boards, and executives of government agencies.

A recent report indicated the cost of corruption to the Jamaican economy is costing the economy 5 percent of GDP or an estimated US$738 million annually.

Another worrisome data is the Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has ranked Jamaica highly among the more corrupt Caribbean countries in recent years. In 2018, Jamaica was ranked 70 worst corrupt country globally, and 8th in the Caribbean. Barbados was ranked as the least corrupt Caribbean nation.

In 2019 as Jamaica became embroiled in the Petrojam scandal it's rank worsened to 74 out of 198 nations. Since than incidences of public corruption has widened involving the dismissal of a cabinet minister and public officials involved with corruption at the Caribbean Maritime University, and more recently the removal of portfolio responsibilities of another government minister involved in a scandal related to lands owned by the Ministry of Agriculture. Another minister, usually commended for his ministerial responsibilities, came under scrutiny last week for alleged corruption in his ministry. Also making the news for alleged corruption was a popular ranking member of the opposition People's National Party (PNP).

Most of these corrupt practices involved offering jobs and/or plush government contracts to close and often underqualified relatives, paramours, friends; and party political supporters. Several contracts have been offered outside of the protocols established for offering government contracts. A recent report from the Jamaican auditor general indicated contracts offered to build a classroom at the Caribbean Maritime University offered to a Florida based company owned and operated by member of the Jamaican diaspora who did not tender a bid for the said contract within the set deadline.

It's of significant concern that most Jamaicans seem to be taking public corruption as normal and acceptable. There are reports of a recent Jamaican poll that revealed the majority of people don't care about corruption. This is despite the TI Global Corruption Barometer finding some 85 percent of Jamaicans regard the two major political parties as corrupt, and over 70 percent are currently more aware of corruption.

Of course, public corruption is not peculiar to Jamaica or other Caribbean counties. It's a pandemic-like international problem affecting many global communities and economies, but it seems more prevalent in developing countries, especially some African countries.

Analysis of corruption tends to agree corruption is born out of poverty, and greed among public officials and the already wealthy.

The poor, most struggling to provide for their household, tend to be willing to accept money for serving others corruptly, or willing, paradoxically, to pay corruptly charged fees for special privileges and benefits for their family members.

The wealthy in developing countries, seem to be persistent in ascending on the social-economic ladder competing with members of their class for bigger, more luxurious homes in choice neighborhoods, and drive the latest model expensive automobiles.

Visitors to Jamaica, for example, in recent times, have returned and heard to comment on the boom of expensive residential houses, apartment and condominiums in Jamaica, and the number of high-end automobiles being driven by some people. These comments are usually accompanied by the question. "How can Jamaicans afford these residences and these vehicles?"

The answer seems to be through money acquired by corrupt means. Some Jamaicans tend to take it for granted "that everything in Jamaica has a price." This price includes paying insiders within government agencies special "under-the counter fees" for a variety services including getting licenses, documents, loans, jobs, contracts, placement in choice schools, and even bribing police officers not to issue tickets for traffic violations.

The practice of corruption worsens when those elected by the people to effectively manage public funds deliberately use these funds to brazenly compensate their romantic partners, family members, and close associates.

This corruption cannot be allowed to prevail. Jamaica does have a public body - The Integrity Commission charged with calling out and reducing public corruption. Obviously, the terms of the commission needs to be strengthened to enable it to be more effective in its role.

But what's most needed is a government who places elimination of public corruption at the forefront of its priorities. Unless government ministers, members of parliament and public officials are swiftly, aggressively penalized, including stiff prison sentences, for misusing public funds, the general public will continue taking corruption as a way of life.

Public corruption is a very close relative to crime. If the incumbent, or succeeding Jamaican governments, doesn't take aggressive measures to eliminate public corruption, how can they succeed in controlling crime? If Barbados, The Bahamas and St. Vincent and the Grenadines can rank high among Caribbean countries with the least public corruption, why can't Jamaica? It's full time for a change.

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Full Time to Change Public Corruption in Jamaica

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While the Jamaican government and Jamaicans generally deserve commendation for the great job in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic in that country, they are failing to control another devastating virus - public corruption. In recent weeks, news from Jamaica has reported acts of corruption mostly based on nepotism and cronyism, involving senior government ministers, parish councilors, [...]

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Integrity Commission Bill (2017) - passed by the Jamaican Senate, set in motion the establishment of an independent anti corruption unit. The unit is responsible for uncovering and prosecuting corruption in Jamaica. This indicates that Jamaican leadership acknowledges that economic growth is not sustainable given their current CPI.

73 percent of the Jamaican population believe in their own ability to fight corruption and make a difference.

https://borgenproject.org/corruption-in-jamaica-improves-but-still-requires-attention/

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Jamaica has improved 15 spots in the world corruption rankings, now ranking as the 68th least corrupt country out of the 180 polled. Despite this progress, corruption in Jamaica remains entrenched and widespread, and its effects still drive poverty and crime in what is one of the poorest and most dangerous countries in the Americas.

According to Transparency International's 2017 Index, Jamaica received a score of 44, where 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean. Although the jump in rankings is a positive sign, a score of 44 is still worrisome. The organization notes that any score under 50 indicates "prevalent bribery, a lack of punishment for corruption, and public institutions that do not respond to the needs of citizens."

Also disheartening is the view Jamaicans themselves have on corruption within their country. According to the 2017 Global Corruption Barometer, which measures respondents' perception of corruption within their own country, 51 percent of Jamaicans believed that most or all of the police were corrupt, with a further 37 percent believing that most (or all) of their representatives in Parliament were corrupt.

Corruption Costs

Both real and perceived corruption has far-reaching consequences for poverty, especially in developing countries. In Jamaica, where social infrastructure is already lacking, corruption diminishes quality of life by redirecting vital funding away from critical infrastructure such as healthcare, education, water, roads and electricity.

The money instead goes into private pockets, which results in an underfunded and underperforming government. This type of leadership then inadequately provides protection, jobs and basic services to its citizens.

Equally important are the effects of perceived corruption in Jamaica, where 68 percent of people believe corruption is increasing. This perception of a corrupt government is detrimental in that it discourages participation within the legal framework of society.

In the midst of an unfair system and a government which does not provide basic services for its people, many turn to extralegal groups for protection and livelihood. The result of such decisions are the high levels of murder and organized crime seen in Jamaica today.

Corruption and Poverty

Aside from the effects of corruption on the everyday life of Jamaicans, corruption also affects the economy as a whole. There is a universal trend of reduced foreign investment, lack of development and inefficient allocation of resources in corrupt nations.

The World Bank also notes that "the average income in countries with a high level of corruption is about a third of that of countries with a low level of corruption." In Jamaica, this means corruption categorically lowers the quality of life for the vast majority of Jamaicans.

Positive Signs

Despite endemic corruption's continued presence, there are indications that Jamaica is heading in the right direction. According to Transparency International, corruption in Jamaica has been decreasing, evidenced by its improved rank in the global corruption indexes.

Additionally, Jamaican leadership has begun to take an interest in anti-corruption, and has acknowledged that sustained economic growth is impossible without combating corruption. The Integrity Commission Bill in July 2017, passed by the Jamaican Senate, was an important step in the right direction. The act set in motion the establishment of an independent anti corruption unit tasked with uncovering and prosecuting corruption in Jamaica.

What Can Be Done

In its recommendations on curbing corruption, Transparency International notes five important areas in which the Jamaican government can improve:

1. Encouraging free speech and an independent media.

2. Minimizing regulations on media and ensuring journalists can work without fear of repression or violence.

3. Promoting laws that focus on access to information to engender transparency.

4. Advocating for reforms at the national and global level which push for access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms.

5. Disclosing relevant public interest information including government budgets and political party finances.

Transparency International also notes the important role that everyday people can play in the fight against corruption. In fact, Jamaicans overwhelmingly believe in their own ability to fight corruption, with 73 percent of the population believing they can make a difference. Transparency International gives these suggestions for those trying to take up the fight against corruption.

1. Say no to paying bribes.

2. Report incidents of corruption to the authorities. When there are no trustworthy authorities, report the incident to Transparency International's Advocacy and Legal Advice Centers (located in over 90 countries).

3. Join an Anti-Corruption organization.

4. Take part in a peaceful protest.

5. Pay more to buy goods and services from a corruption-free company.

6. Spread the word about corruption through social media.

Although Jamaicans still face an uphill battle in the fight against corruption in Jamaica, the message from Transparency International is very positive. By making anti-corruption a priority, Jamaicans can bring corruption to the curb, and alleviate much of the poverty and social ills that corruption perpetuates.

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Corruption in Jamaica Improves But Still Requires Attention - The Borgen Project

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Jamaica has improved 15 spots in the world corruption rankings, now ranking as the 68th least corrupt country out of the 180 polled. Despite this progress, corruption in Jamaica remains entrenched and widespread, and its effects still drive poverty and crime in what is one of the poorest and most dangerous countries in the Americas.

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Joe Z Malcolm (1950s) - former JLP Minister of Education was sentenced to 12 months at hard labor for defraud.

LL Simmonds - Malcom’s successor as the Minister of Education was convicted in July 1954 for breaches of the Official Secrets Act, and sentenced to 15 months at hard labor.

Arthur Burt (1960s) - the former minister of state in the Ministry of Education was the third to face the courts and be sentenced for his role in the corrupt handling of the school building program financed by the World Bank. Although he fled the island to avoid appearing before the commission and facing criminal charges.

James A.G. Smith (1990) -former JLP minister of labour, was charged with receiving $70,000 deemed by the director of public prosecutions to have been unlawfully obtained from farm workers’ savings. He was also charged with conspiracy to defraud. He was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison

Ruel Reid (2019) - former Minister of Education, Youth and Information was forced to resign over allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds involving a number of institutions tied to his ministry.

https://opo.gov.jm/category/in-the-news/page/2/

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51% of Jamaicans believed that most or all of the police were corrupt and 37% believe that most (or all) of their representatives in Parliament were corrupt (2017 Global Corruption Barometer).

Corruption diminishes quality of life by redirecting vital funding away from critical infrastructure such as healthcare, education, water, roads and electricity.

Funding is redirected into private pockets, which results in an underfunded and underperforming government and inadequately provides protection, jobs and basic services to its citizens.

Many turn to extralegal groups for protection and livelihood. The result of such decisions are the high levels of murder and organized crime seen in Jamaica today.

https://borgenproject.org/corruption-in-jamaica-improves-but-still-requires-attention/

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By Copied from Jamaica Labour Party web site, and intellectual property owned by Jamaica Labour Party., Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=206

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Corruption within the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)

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Corruption within the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)

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The Jamaica Labour Party is one of the two major political parties in Jamaica (the other one being the People's National Party (PNP)). The JLP suggests that it is a social democratic party, however it is actually a conservative party. Historically the party has had issues with JLP ministers of Government involved in stealing from government funds leading to some being convicted and sentenced to serve time.

https://opo.gov.jm/taking-corruption-to-another-level/

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CPI indicates the relative degree of corruption. Jamaica was ranked 70/180 in 2021 with an overall score of 44/100. This score is the perceived level of public sector corruption- 0 being highly corrupt and 100 not corrupt. Jamaica's score of 44/100 has not changed since 2020. Any CPI score under 50 indicates “prevalent bribery, a lack of punishment for corruption, and public institutions that do not respond to the needs of citizens.”

Jamaica's rank is relative to other countries and therefore can change depending on the number of countries included in the index. Some countries may not be ranked if there is not enough data available to accurately measure levels of corruption. The Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre in Jamaica provides free and confidential legal advice and allow people to safely report corruption.