Are we really ready to work?

Ronald Mason, Contributor

It is well accepted that Jamaica has significant economic challenges. There is a common link to the woes we face in that we have very low productivity levels.

Productivity is a most vital need but, based on comments from the man in the street, is very little understood. When the question is posed as to why we produce so little and work proportionately short increments, we are told, "Mi work so hard." However, when these same persons are asked how many people you know work eight hours per day, the answer is usually, "Not many."

The public sector is, anecdotally, the worst offender. There is a recent case study where documents were signed by a taxpayer and sent to another ministry for final approval. The taxpayer was assured that the turnaround time would be some three weeks. The reality is, it took seven weeks, as the taxpayer was told, upon inquiry, that the serving minister was a busy man. The same taxpayer, being retired, invested the time and effort to seek information. The matter was therefore "expedited".

It has been seven weeks and so far nobody thinks of the lost productivity and increased cost of the taxpayer having to make physical trips to the ministry and other agencies. No big deal. Once the document had been signed, all that was left to be done was for it to be endorsed by the department and handed over to the taxpayer. As this is being written, the taxpayer has reported that 15 days later, the document has still not been delivered.

Just think of the ripple effect of this one example of low productivity. Interest costs increase, no jobs are awarded, and hence lost income. The opportunity cost diminished, there is less tax to be collected. What we do then is to borrow to pay these same public-sector officers. The wisdom of investing in Jamaica is again questioned. Low productivity.

The analysis of this case illustrates the challenges we face. First, why must the minister have the personal responsibility of signing each document? The presumption of corruption, incompetence and the diminution of 'power' are all to be identified. The whole process of creating a business enterprise in Jamaica is underpinned by the core belief that all Jamaicans are potential thieves. It is unrecognised that the very stance facilitates corruption. The solution becomes finding the right facilitator. A little let-off and you have the document in one week. There is very little concern and analysis of the need for a high level of productivity.

HURT AND UPSET

The man in the street is hurt by, and upset with, the slide of the dollar. However, we have failed to convey the message of the value of the dollar in relation to low productivity. We do not produce enough at a high level to compete in the global marketplace to earn hard currency to back our dollar. What is even more troubling is that we do have the enormous capacity to produce more and better quality.

The most recent reporting period saw Jamaica producing some 152,000 tonnes of sugar. This is a marked improvement on the recent past. The production has found a ready market. More foreign exchange. Hence we are in a better place with this commodity. Think of the effect if we were to duplicate this with cocoa, which has risen to a high of US$3,028 per metric ton.

Let us consider the ripple effect of using the mini-sett methodology for the cultivation of yams to meet export demand. The optimum size of the yield in weight and shape would increase the potential to capture a greater share of the hard currency market. No overseas produce purchaser wants a 10-12lb multi-finger yellow yam. The preferred 12-16oz single finger can be had as a result of using the min-sett method. Hard work, low productivity.

In the private sector, persons take two to three hours for lunchtime to pick up children from school, take them to extra-curricular activities, and sometimes do not get back to work at all. In July and August, blocks of sectors take off the whole time to attend to family matters and party. Then, of course, most of these same persons take off November and December to celebrate American Thanksgiving and Christmas. No productivity or low productivity.

CUMULATIVE EFFECT

The cumulative effect of the national malady of low productivity results in our low ranking on the Human Development Index. The devaluing dollar, the lack of economic growth, the slow creation of sustainable jobs, and the urgent pressure have caused some 7,000 of our professionals to migrate in recent times. These same professionals, though, in foreign lands will have two jobs and hustle to make it to and from work on time. Why can this not be done in Jamaica?

As a people, we must learn to work in Jamaica. Work with a purpose, for the duration and with the intensity required. We must produce to the highest standards. We must make the politicians almost irrelevant. Only we can rescue ourselves from the challenges we face. Are we prepared to do it?

Ronald Mason is an immigration attorney, Supreme Court mediator, and talk-show host. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and nationsagenda@gmail.com.