A Freelance Writer’s Life Abroad: Inside Peek at My Life as an American Living in Jamaica for a Year, Part IX

June 17, 2010

The day before yesterday, I received an email from an American asking about finding work “under the table” here in Negril, Jamaica. She asked:

I’ve read a few of your articles – very informative & enjoyable. I am considering coming to Negril for a few months (found a studio for $650 – why so much more than yours, I don’t know).

Anyway, my main question is how difficult do you think it would be for me to find some work “under the table” as an American?? I don’t really care what it would be , whether service industry, garden/yard work, whatever. I just wan tto keep busy & really just keep my head above water! (I’m a 43 yr old woman, very friendly, smart, etc…)

Due to the BP oil spill here, I am taking the rest of the summer “off”, going on an adventure. Jamaica is definitely in the running. (Oh – any word or fear of the recent drug-lord upheaval deal?)

I hope you have some insight to my question, I realize that you have not tried to work under the table there. Any other insight you could offer would be great, and hopefully help me make my decision! I hope to be on a plane Friday or Saturday!

Thank you very much,

K-

Finding Work in Negril, Jamaica as an American with “No Papers”

In light of her question, I asked a friend of mine here in Jamaica who I had a late lunch with yesterday about finding work here in Negril as an American.

He said that if you knew someone, it would be easier. For example, he asked me what my friend did. I told him that I didn’t know her personally; hence she wasn’t my friend, but she was in her mid-40s, white and would “do anything that was legal.”

His response was:

I know a few rich, white people. They would probably hire her as a domestic as they’re from the same culture and would probably feel comfortable with her.

Not wanting to count on anyone here finding anyone a “job”,” I said:

What if she came here on her own without knowing anyone?

He said:

It would be better if she wanted to open a business, ie, a grocery store. That would do really well here.

I told him she probably wasn’t interested in (or positioned to) open a business here.

Negril, Jamaica: Types of Businesses That Would Do Well Here

FYI, there are a few types of businesses that would do well here from my observation, ie:

An internet café (with no music playing and no “blunt” smoking);

A taxicab service (in my observation, it’s the quickest, easiest way to make money here as a business owner);

A sushi bar (several Americans I’ve met have expressed a desire for this type of establishment; me among them);

A MailBoxes, Etc. (or similar type of business) where you have fax, printing, international calling and mailing services; and

American food & service (eg, burgers, fries, chicken salads, etc.): I know as an American living here on an extended basis I’d appreciate this type of “comfort food from home” from time to time. If it’s served with fast, courteous American service, that would make the establishment all the more successful.

On a personal note, the way we do things in America is different than here, of course. For example, our service tends to be a lot quicker. Hence, I think businesses that cater to what “travelling” Americans need – and like – would do well here in Negril.

The Unemployment Rate in Negril, Jamaica

I Googled the unemployment rate in Negril, Jamaica and it was much lower than I thought.

BUT, overall what I see every day is people struggling – especially during this, the slow (low) season. The only people that seem to thrive are the restaurant owners and the taxi drivers (the route drivers that focus on local fares  — not the ones that cater to tourists; although they can do well too if they establish themselves with hotels). 

The Low Season in Negril, Jamaica: When You Can – and Cannot – Make Money

The slow season here is roughly mid-April through the beginning of December (a few weeks here and there in some of the slow months can be good). But the businesses here thrive on the high months, which is really only about half the year. That’s why it can be extremely difficult to make a living here as a foreigner — even in the best of times –  as the bulk of Negril’s economy depends on tourisms.

The Bottom Line on Finding Work in Negril, Jamaica as a Foreigner

Don’t count on it. Jamaica is a very poor country overall. The economy here in Negril depends on tourism. So if you want to live here and make a living, you have to be independently employed (eg, making a living as a freelance writer, or some other vocation that doesn’t depend on the economy here in Negril).

Note: Tomorrow I’ll post some more detail about this as my sister’s sweating me about going with her to meet friends for a drink right now, so I have to log off!

Best,
Yuwanda
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Related Posts

A Freelance Writer’s Life Abroad: Inside Peek at My Life as an American Living in Jamaica for a Year, Part X
A Freelance Writer’s Life Abroad: Inside Peek at My Life as an American Living in Jamaica for a Year, Part V
A Freelance Writer’s Life Abroad: Inside Peek at My Life as an American Living in Jamaica for a Year, Part IV
A Freelance Writer’s Life Abroad: Inside Peek at My Life as an American Living in Jamaica for a Year, Part II
A Freelance Writer’s Life Abroad: Inside Peek at My Life as an American Living in Negril, Jamaica for a Year, Part I

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One Response to “A Freelance Writer’s Life Abroad: Inside Peek at My Life as an American Living in Jamaica for a Year, Part IX”

  1. A Freelance Writer’s Life Abroad: Inside Peek at My Life as an American Living in Jamaica for a Year, Part X : Inkwell Editorial says:
    June 18, 2010 at 2:58 pm

    [...] yesterday’s post, I responded to an American who wondered about finding work here in Negril “under the table/off the books”. Today, I wanted to add a little bit more to this post as I had to log off in a hurry yesterday and [...]

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