OPPOSITION spokesman on science, ICT and digital economy development, Dr Andrew Wheatley, has proposed an initiative through which specific public sector jobs could be done by workers utilising technology from home.

The initiative, called the Electronic Home Office Mode of Employment (e-HOME), would see workers using broadband and various other technologies to facilitate working from home.

Dr Wheatley, who was making his contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral Debate in the House on Wednesday, argued that the initiative could result in numerous spin-off benefits for the country.

Citing the benefits of this mode of work, he posited that the initiative would see increased employee productivity and job satisfaction, increased employee empowerment and collaboration, increased departmental efficiency and reduction in unscheduled absence from work.

He also noted that there would be a reduction in the cost of leaving home to go to work, including clothing, transportation, fuel, food, among other things.

In addition, Dr Wheatley said the initiative would lead to a reduction in traffic and by extension a reduction in road fatalities and would have a positive impact on the environment.

Other benefits could be a reduction in the public sector wage bill from derived efficiencies; savings to the Government in areas such as rental costs, energy consumption, stationery and supplies, and other operational costs. He also noted that it would facilitate an increase in employment opportunities locally and overseas.

“As the largest employer in this country, the Government must lead this charge and demonstrate the real benefits that can be derived from the culture shift that is embodied in the concept — work is something you do, not somewhere you go,” he argued.