Spend more on tax collection - Walker

Commissioner of Customs in Jamaica Danville Walker has described the country's investment in its tax collection systems as "pathetically small".

Underscoring the point during The Gleaner's annual long-service awards ceremony held yesterday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, Walker said if the country spent one per cent of its collections on the tax systems, "we would be spending 50 times more than what was actually spent".

"That's the best way I can get across to you how much we actually spent on the development of the systems that we have over the last 10 years," he said.

Walker, who was the guest speaker at the ceremony, said this makes it difficult to grow the base of people who pay taxes.

In addition, he said without investment "you now have to resort to simply trying to squeeze more out of those that you already have".

The commissioner of customs said that, regardless of the constraints, Jamaica has to have the courage to invest in the systems of collecting taxes.

This is one of the reasons he has proposed that the public sector move closer to how the private sector operates, especially as it relates to accountability and productivity.

Contribution

Walker said it usually filters down throughout private sector organisations that everybody has to make a contribution, "and a contribution that is greater than their cost".

"You could not exist in the private sector for 40 years and not be productive," he said.

"If your organisation is organised that way, eventually it will be out of business."

Forty-two Gleaner Company employees were honoured for completing between 10 and 40 years of service to the company.

Algon Brown and Robert Jackson, both from the prepress department, were honoured for 40 years of service.

Paulette Donaldson and Donald Gayle were honoured for 35 years of service, while Alphanso Grace and Elaine Small were honoured for 30 years of service.

Brown, who is a coordinator in the prepress department, said despite many challenges and changes he is enjoying the ride.

In 35 years with The Gleaner, Donaldson has seen it all.

"The deaths ... the weddings and many babies," she said, adding that her time with The Gleaner Company has been very rewarding.