Gareth Manning, Freelance WriterWITH POLICE statistics showing that nearly three quarters of those murdered last year were employed people, the Jamaica Employers Federation (JEF) and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) are bemoaning the impact this will have on the productivity of the workforce.
Of the 1674 people murdered last year, 1125 of them were employed persons, the majority being labourers. Some 397 of them were murdered, followed by 64 taxi-operators and 59 farmers. Twenty-seven entrepreneurs were also killed, six managers and three medical doctors.
President of the the JCTU Senator Dwight Nelson says crime is depleting the country's productive capacity and it demoralises workers.
"One of the issues that is of prime concern to the workforce is the whole question of security. Security in going to and leaving the workplace, particularly those workers who have to work on late shifts, and I know this is disconcerting to the workforce, it is certainly disconcerting to the employer in terms of cost in providing security. Clearly, this is diverting from the productive capacity of the country," he says.
PRODUCTIVITY BEING UNDERMINED
Executive Director of JEF, Jacqueline Coke-Lloyd, agrees that Jamaica's productivity is being undermined by crime and she says it may result in an early lockdown of Jamaica's businesses.
"There are some businesses looking at whether they can continue to open as late as they are opening because some workers, some don't turn up to work and some don't [because of] fear. The buses stop running after a particular time and because of where they have to journey or get in and out of a particular community on a particular route. Those are issues for many of the employees," she says.
She says the cost of safety is driving up production costs for many businesses because many organisations have to employ security and provide transportation for their employees to get to and from work safely.
"It all boils down to the level of confidence that we have and that creates another problem in how businesses sustain themselves and how they continue to operate," she says.
The fears for employees' safety have triggered lobbies in the past for more to be done.
Senator Nelson notes that trade unions have always made it their point of duty to ensure employers protect their workers from criminal elements.
"Where workers have to travel in dangerous or hazardous areas we have always sought to agree with the employer that the workers be provided with transportation. Safety and public transportation cannot be guaranteed as is constantly shown," he says.
The JCTU in regard to the increase in murder has sought to improve its advocacy in this area. Trade Unions, he says, will ensure that employers protect workers who leave early in the mornings and late evenings.
