THE EDITOR, Sir:
WAS THERE another time in recent memory that gas price at the pump has hurt our pockets as they do now? It is heading for $50 per litre!
The government is busy promoting the use of diesel cars, but this is a long-term measure that is being given short-term currency, judging by the vigour it is being pursued in the media and the advertising copy it is getting.
The government should be actively using a strategy that has an immediate impact to try and counter the shocks to the economy, rather than twisting in the wind.
For instance, they should stagger working hours for employees by example, as they are the biggest employer of labour. At the same time, they should be looking for other opportunities that staggering could bring such as improving their productivity to the public and of particular benefit for the private sector.
By so doing, it would help to reduce the traffic so prevalent on our streets and at the same time, continue to improve those critical service areas to the public. The objective would, therefore, be to send a clear signal to the public that it is aware of the nature of the problem, rather than watching it expand and show that more urgent strategies are being employed to address it. The private sector would then be expected to take a cue from this leading by example approach.
I am, etc.,
J. FRANCIS
Kingston 6
