Incentives

Many people have left or are in the process of leaving the country in search of what are generally believed to be ‘greener pastures’. Both ‘skilled’ workers and ‘unskilled’ workers are packing their bags and updating their CVs and Resumes and quitting the scene. I have been told by older generation colleagues and friends that this is reminiscent of what happened 50 years ago, and again 30 years ago.
People who stay in the country may feel wistfulness or envy at the sight of their departing acquaintances. Or they may rationally decide that this is an advantage for them, as it means that competition for positions will be less within the country, as the numbers are lessening in the bid for what opportunities there are.

Let’s keep in mind that those migrating overseas are not going into perfect worlds. Countries like Britain and Australia are currently logging infrastructural statistics which suggest they are in economic crisis, with health and education systems showing signs of systemic dysfunction; and living in the USA, with its race divisions and recent public political disruptions and climate extremes is nothing like the beautiful scene we are presented with, via movies and TV. The Covid era in particular has removed a lot of illusions and eroded many myths.

Put a person or a nation under stress, and you will see their flaws very clearly. But the most important act you can do at that point is not just identifying the causes of the problem, or assigning blame. The most crucial thing is to work out what you can do today, with what you have, whether as an individual balancing your household budget, or a country seeking to reduce deficits.

How do we collectively make our lives most meaningful and effective, each day? What can we make for our midday meal, for example, with the ingredients we already have in the cupboard? What can we do, to repair, restore, maintain and best manage the outstanding resources within the country - both natural and man-made? How can we use what is available to us, to become increasingly independent of the assistance of others?

Instead of criticizing those who are leaving, let’s seek to improve the conditions of life here in the country, and increase the incentives for those who have chosen to stay. Not just temporary monetary incentives, but societal improvements, and upgrades in professionalism and codes of conduct and moral accountability, in every industry and sphere of activity.

The curse of survivalist thinking resulting from constant crisis and upheaval is that people live from day to day, and do not plan for the future, as a viable future seems precarious and uncertain. But that very inability of exhausted citizens to invest themselves with confidence in the life of the country means that the energy they could offer, to build, to encourage and inspire, is withheld.

And it does not take long for survivalism to become opportunism. And that way social breakdown starts to occur, fuelled by an endemic sense of deprivation.

What incentives can we give ourselves, in a landscape where opportunity is not accessible to all? And how can we build confidence and pride into the foundation we need for the next chapter of our country’s story? Talent abounds, but human failings have operated without visible restraint, to restrict the development of people who feel unsupported and disadvantaged.
Short term solutions and transitory visions need to be underwritten by more solid growth creation instruments and engines. Then progress will be made across all sectors, relief and remedy can be experienced by the most vulnerable, and real momentum can be felt and seen.

The greenest pasture will become our home ground.