AMIDST ALL THE TALK of downgrades, rising debts, lack of economic growth and so on, I would like to point out the fact that we have refused for years to help ourselves.
My major concern is the ridiculously poor level of productivity and work attitudes rampant across the island first and foremost at all levels of the Civil Service and spreading within the private sector.
Laziness, indifference, absenteeism, unsuitability for posts and indiscipline are becoming the norm. Finances are lost through all these characteristics and more.
Twenty-one uncertified sick days is already three quarters of a month out of the working year. Add to that another month for proper vacation and all the other days a worker comes in ridiculously late, leaves early, takes extremely long lunch breaks, or simply does not turn up for work at all. All this without a superior’s knowledge, and many times, interest.
Who runs a business like this? How is a business going to realise any level of financial prudence with this culture prominent and accepted?
Within the Civil Service up until now, it matters not which party is in power, the problem has remained the same. Worse yet, it has been so accepted for so long by us Bajans that we joke about it.
How many of us say in jest, “After two, mek much sense going to (Government office of your choice). Dem ain’ doing much wuk now; dem brekkin fuh home”.
Superiors, who do not want to become unpopular with staff or simply cannot be bothered, do not engage in proper supervisory actions.
People who have developed the attitude that they have five more years until retirement/pension and have no interest in carrying out their duties half as effectively as the mediocre level they performed at before, are weighing us down.
Neither the above-mentioned manager nor the people drawing close to retirement are properly assisting young employees, nor are they interested in doing so. Just biding out their time. And the list goes on and on.
Somebody, or some group of bodies in the appropriate positions needs to step up, be bold enough to face the inevitable criticism and unpopularity and fix this, and be able to do so without fear of being cast out themselves.
Finances and resources are continually lost when our productivity level is rock bottom. How can the country and its economy and standard of living for its citizens move forward when we are moving backward in this critical aspect?
It makes little sense to me that we cry out at the state of affairs of our lovely country but refuse to fix this cornerstone.
Let us get a move on. ASAP.
– SETH NAITRAM