THE EDITOR, Sir:
PERHAPS ONE of the best presents our Government and Opposition could give to the citizens and visitors to Jamaica is to ensure that the determination of flexi--time is concluded and soon.
There is no doubt in my mind that were the system in place, the carnage on the roads would be stemmed; motor vehicle insurance rates could decrease; road rage would be averted. We'd be a happier mobile public. Have you noticed that there are no residential areas left that we haven't forged a thoroughfare through? Not even Skyline Drive has been spared. One-way east in the mornings, one-way west in the evenings.
But of course, because in Jamaica, we give inna wan han and tek it bak in de odda, the translation of flexi-time to include converting week-end overtime to normal work time was inevitable. We copycat as usual without establishing practicality.
How can we spend quality time with our children or ourselves by converting overtime working hours to normal working hours? Maybe the Minister of Education could answer since the Minister of Labour didn't get the picture.
Pastors, this is not an issue of attendance in church, there are people whose baskets hang high and overtime mode is the only way to go - at the expense of attending church and to their children. My child attends Wednesday Bible-study meetings as much as he attends church on week-ends.
A suggestion - perhaps we could use the principle of flexi--time without copying the first world countries for a change. How about simply commencing the process by converting the normal 40-hour work week to a flexi--time shift-system and use the traffic blitz (nightmare) as a perfect excuse? Two shifts - 8:30-4:30 p.m. and 11:00-7:00 p.m. Graveyard shifts would remain. Fix the lunch times to ensure one-hour lunches that would reduce lunchtime theft.
Reduce un-employment and large-scale overtime theft by increasing employment using the shift-system. It will support better community life in offices and neighbourhoods. And watch traffic patterns change. Use flexi--time to examine the possibility of salary cutbacks. The Lord knows, we need to start that policy too - Jamaica has never tried it and badly needs it! Last in first out!!
Now that would be a cleansing experience.
Best wishes for a very positive and alarmingly peaceful 2003.
I am etch,
SHARON NEMBHARD
sansalcots2000@yahoo.com
Via Go-Jamaica
