I’ve been following the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay this week.

I listened keenly to speeches from Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding. I was impressed with Golding’s speech, not so much Holness’s. The prime minister spoke about the need to “build a culture of efficiency and productivity”. He urged the Diaspora to reach out to relatives to inspire them to work more, work harder. I didn’t know that productivity was the responsibility of the Diaspora. We must look at what motivates people and remuneration is always highly ranked. People will show up to work and improve productivity if they can see what they are getting in return as they help to generate profits for others.

Prime Minister Holness stated that having paid out the largest increase in public sector wages in Jamaican history (an increase of $200 billion), the issue of productivity must now be addressed. There has been a notable decrease in productivity in the business sector, as some leaders have indicated that employees are arriving late and leaving early, citing reasons as basic as no water at home. This all points to poor governance and management of the country’s resources.

Does the Government take any responsibility for the decline in productivity?

The prime minister did not address integrity and corruption which reportedly cost the country 5 per cent of gross domestic product annually, close to US$1 billion. He also didn’t address the poor infrastructure with which many Jamaicans must live, and he didn’t mention the heavy traffic in major cities, such as Kingston and Montego Bay, where it takes commuters hours to get to and from work.

Prime Minister Holness didn’t address rising inflation and low wages paid to workers, especially in the public sector and even in tourism, which is reportedly booming. The perception of the level of corruption in Government is alarming, as some politicians are being investigated by the Integrity Commission, but it’s business as usual, Jamaica no problem!

Work ethic might be attributed partially to culture, but there are other serious underlying factors driving productivity downwards. When we lose so much to corruption, it becomes challenging for the Government to fund and improve infrastructure and public services. People will work harder if they are motivated and incentivised. Organisations can embrace the hybrid work model to help to motivate and reduce traffic and even reduce the cost of business operations.

Fair compensation comes with productivity, and we must encourage leisure and lifestyle to complement productivity. You can’t have one sector in society prospering and receiving 200 per cent increases and expect those below them who receive poor wages and benefits to be inspired to work harder.

Prime Minister Holness, take stock and review this speech.

chin_p@yahoo.com