English-speaking Caribbean Countries Research Articles

Labor Market Regulation and Employment in the Caribbean

This research project focuses on the demand side of the labor market by examining the impact which labor market regulations have had on employment creation in the English-speaking Caribbean countries of Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Although a recent IADB report on labor market reform in Latin America and the Caribbean indicates that the English-speaking Caribbean countries have a lower level of labor market inflexibility than Latin American countries, the regulatory environment in both the labor and commodity markets has had some adverse impact on employment creation in the region (IADB, 1996). Results from a study of the operations of the labor market in the Caribbean Group for Cooperation in Economic Development (CGCED) suggest that these regulatory measures do have some effect on the operation of businesses in the region (see Abt Associates, 1998).

Strategy Towards Measles Elimination. Progress in the English-Speaking Caribbean Countries.

The strategy currently used to control and eliminate measles was reviewed on the basis of the achievement in Americas, especially in the English-speaking Caribbean countries. The author participated in one phase of the strategy; measles follow-up immunization campaign in Belize, and reviewed the achievement of the campaign. Several factors were identified as important factors for the success of mass immunization campaign. According to the review and experience of the strategy and its practice for measles elimination in the Americas, the author discussed the importance of political commitment, enthusiastic community's participation and establishment of effective surveillance system for the success of measles elimination program. Although there are still several obstacles for the development of the measles elimination program to other regions, the most important components are the strong political commitment in each country and international cooperation financially and technically. On this point of view, Japan is able to play an important roll towards measles elimination in Asia.

The New Clinton Administration and the Caribbean: Trade, Security and Regional Politics

Faced with rapid changes in the global system, most Caribbean countries may seem to be doing everything right. The English-speaking Caribbean countries, in particular, have been exemplary in their practice of democracy and political stability. Others, such as Suriname and Haiti, are nurturing new democratic regimes. Economically, the region has followed the neoliberal reform rule book and implemented policies mandated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. They have trimmed fiscal deficits, privatized state-owned commercial enterprises that were losing money, and liberalized their trading regimes. These measures have been implemented either by reform-minded governments or governments which have seen no alternative. Only Cuba continues to labor under a discredited, ideological model that does not encourage democracy, while its economy mirrors some version of “á la cartecapitalism” in the face of an accelerated US embargo.

Education for Agricultural Librarians in Jamaica

The Jamaica Five-Year Development Plan 1990-1995 identifies inadequacy of agricultural information services as one of the factors responsible for the poor performance of the country's agricultural economic sector. This article identifies the shortage of information specialists in this field as a key reason for inadequate service. The author proposes to introduce a one-semester course on Agricultural Information Resources to remedy this situation. The value of the course for other English-speaking Caribbean countries is discussed

AIDS in the Americas

156 countries have reported over 250,000 AIDS cases to the WHO. Taking underreporting into account in developing countries, this figure grows to over 600,000 with 300,000 deaths. HIV-1 infection rates are estimated at between 5-10 million people. Projections indicate that there will be 5 million AIDS cases by 2000. AIDS is an unprecedented health problem that has enormous social, political, medical, and economic implications. The Americas account for 61% of the total cases reported to the WHO. Of the 46 countries in the Americas there have been 153,720 cases reported as of May 1, 1990. 96% of these cases were reported in the US, Brazil, Canada, Haiti, and Mexico. The geographic distribution of AIDS is not homogeneous because of a variety of factors. It was not introduced simultaneously in all countries; some were exposed later than others. Some countries have better detection systems. Excluding North America, the English-speaking Caribbean countries account for only 2% of the population, while the Latin Caribbean countries have 6%, yet they have 10% and 21% of the cases, respectively. Sexual transmission patterns reveal that bisexual men are the largest bridge between the homosexual and heterosexual community, not IV drug users. Studies show that blood donors who are paid are 18 times more likely to be HIV-1 positive in some areas. As AIDS prevalence increases in the heterosexual community, the rate of perinatal transmission also increases. This in turn increases the infant mortality rate because of increases in pediatric AIDS cases. Pediatric cases currently threaten much of the progress that has been made in developing countries in lowering the infant mortality rate. If this pandemic is to be stopped, prevention efforts must be increased as well as a shift in resources at the local, national, and global levels to find some effective method of containment.

Major Nutrition and Health Problems of the English-Speaking Caribbean Countries

Major Nutrition and Health Problems of the English-Speaking Caribbean Countries