The government has established a task force to examine the operations of Jamaica’s business process outsourcing (BPO) sector amid concerns about job losses and the growing impact of artificial intelligence.
Labour and the Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. says the task force will engage stakeholders across the industry, which currently employs nearly 60,000 people.
Speaking on Radio Jamaica’s Real Business on Friday, Minister Charles was responding to questions about the loss of 9,200 jobs in the sector between April 2025 and April this year.
He stressed that the purpose of the task force is not to criticise the industry but to work with operators to develop strategies that will help workers adapt to emerging technologies.
According to the minister, the focus will be on ensuring employees become more compatible with artificial intelligence, allowing the technology to enhance productivity rather than displace workers.