SPALDINGS, Clarendon:
FINANCE AND Planning Minister, Dr. Omar Davies has given foreign contractors employed to carry out out projects in Jamaica a better rating than their Jamaican counterparts.
Dr. Davies, who was speaking at a meeting in Spaldings, Clarendon, recently, said some of our local contractors cannot measure up to the efficiency standards of the overseas contractors.
"It's a reality. We have seen situations. The Chinese bid for a one-year construction project at the University of Technology, and because they were coming from so far, they came late, so they started three months late, but they delivered it two months in advance. I am not going to use no racial thing, but I do not expect no black man to work like that," noted Dr. Davies.
J'CANS' BAD WORK ETHICS
He pointed out that when one looks at what the Japanese and the East Asians do with work contracted to them, many wonder why Jamaicans are not like them. He stated that these groups possess work ethics which Jamaicans do not have, and so they are able to perform with greater efficiency.
But Don Mullings, president of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ), disagreed. "We would disagree... there have been several jobs that have been messed up by foreign contractors and had to be rescued by local contractors who ended up doing a good job and saving this country millions of dollars, embarrassment and otherwise."
He also pointed out that "Most of these foreign contractors are in fact paid on time and at the rates agreed. Local companies have always accommodated the tardiness on the Govern-ment's part, especially in making payments, have always accommodated problems (such as) inadequate designs but we worked with them because of course this is our country."
CHEAP LABOUR
Also, he said foreign contractors are not bombarded with political interference in carrying out their work. He alleged that some are even allowed to bring in cheap labour.
Dr. Davies pointed out that the Americans may not have the same work ethic as the Japanese or East Asians, but they (Americans) have a way of punishing workers who are 'non-performers.' The Americans, Dr. Davies said, punish laziness by ensuring that if persons did not work they would not make it.
He charged that many workers in Jamaica, from time to time find a reason for not attending work "sick, rain fell, mother dead. Some people have several grandmothers. Grand-mother dead".
Dr. Davies, while making it clear that there were some local contractors who deliver projects on time, said the country needs to start establishing some new work ethics for all categories of workers. He said the National Works Agency had started cancelling contracts awarded to tardy contractors while 'black-listing' others.
- G.H.
