NOTE-WORTHY - Dishonourable government
Published:Saturday | August 7, 2010 | 12:00 AM
- Dishonourable government
I support the decision made by the Supreme Court that the Government of Jamaica should honour its contract to public-sector workers and pay up on the seven per cent increase on wages.
What is the purpose of a contract if one party can choose not to abide by it? Isn't a contract a legal binding document? We all know its tough economic times facing many countries, including Jamaica. But the Government should have honoured its obligations to workers and then implement a wage freeze for 2010 and beyond. Since they had already signed a memorandum of understanding for 2008-2010, their morals and conscience should have allowed them to pay up.
The Government of Jamaica has got loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This means that they have signed a contract giving terms of how and when the loan will be repaid. Do you think that they would tell the IMF that they cannot afford to pay and will not pay them? I don't think so. So, why are they so disrespectful to public-sector workers?
Disrespected Public Sector Worker, Spanish Town, St Catherine
- ATI weekend and Negril
I just returned from nine days of vacation in Jamaica and spent some time in Negril. We had a great time and saw some of the Appleton Temptation Isle (ATI) preparation and activities - a great way for young Jamaicans to celebrate Emancipation.
However, I was thinking that some efforts should be made to get the young people also involved in at least half a day of community projects, with the sponsorship of the beer, vodka and rum companies.
There are a lot of basic and primary schools in Negril and other areas of Westmoreland that could do with some help in painting, repairs, beautification, maintenance, and even meeting with less fortunate young people in the community and help nation building.
The ATI weekend is a great opportunity in include some positive community involvement of the young visitors, just before partying and drinking.
Maybe Carey Wallace, president of Negril Chamber of Commerce, can consider this for the future. Emancipation is to be celebrated, but should also include some responsibility to nation building, especially if we want to build a better Jamaica going forward.
Lennox Parkins, allan_parks@yahoo.com