MARK GOLDING, the opposition spokesman on investment, industry and commerce, is warning that many Jamaicans could be pushed to the brink of starvation if Government fails to institute a social security net to protect them.

Golding's call comes amid increasingly volatile world economic conditions, which have so far crippled many world economies, sending prices sky high and forcing local companies to send home workers as they cut back on production.

Tough times

"The next 12 to 18 months will be tough for us and tough times do demand special measures," Golding told The Gleaner on Tuesday. "For example, 3.6 million jobs have been lost in the United States since January last year and many more are expected to go.

"In Jamaica, job losses for the year have been estimated at more than 3,000 so far, and there are fears that the number could rise as many companies cut back production and rationalise their businesses amid the violent economic storm."

Golding said it was important that Government act immediately to institute a social security net which would save victims of the economic climate from starvation.

"I don't think that, on a sustained basis, Jamaica is in the financial position to have a complete social safety system paid for by the state but I think that, in the next 12-18 months, something special needs to be designed and put in place for the people at the very bottom," Golding said.

He added: "I am sure that things like malnutrition are going to be on the increase, and all those indices of poverty are going to be on the increase in the next 12 months."