Jah Foresight, Contributor
The footage on national television of billowing smoke in Point, Hanover, was indeed frightening. I thought that I was watching the clips of suicide bombings in Baghdad on CNN or Fox.
Several buildings were set ablaze and about 11 vehicles damaged or destroyed. Rampant pilfering took place during the demonstration when men stole items and transported them by boat. Management was whisked away by helicopter to safety.
I can say that all Jamaica was disgusted at this national disgrace. It is surprising that no one has put a political spin on the situation so far. I understand that all parties will be meeting soon to discuss the implications. However, I believe the situation was like a bomb waiting to explode, especially with the first demonstration over salaries.
Fuelled by misunderstanding
I have worked in management in the Negril area and I feel that the furore was fuelled by misunderstanding of the culture on Jamaican worksites. One sad thing about this country is that there are some folks of humble origins who have forgotten their roots. We must always realise that there are two Jamaicas - master and slave - and nothing much has changed since 1938. People in rural areas want reasonable work, and they are committed to their families.
I want you to use your imagination a bit. I am now living in Whitehouse, Westmoreland, and I have to reach the hotel by 7:00 a.m. I will have to travel in three different minibuses or taxis to reach to the site. The latest I can leave my gate is 5:00 a.m. in the dark. I am working with a transport system that is not even a system.
If the Lord is on my side, I might just reach work on time. If I am late, I think I could never leave work early and there should be some amount of flexibility that could be worked out. If you do a close analysis of similar sites, you will discover that the skilled craftsmen that any project needs do not tend to live in urban areas.
Anthony Williams, 57, was an innocent lamb and this was the dynamite. There are some of our policemen and security guards who are too quick to 'pop off' their guns. I have a good impression that some of our policemen are lousy marksmen and cowards whose weapons inflate their egos.
Know how to 'flex'
Workers must know that policemen have pledged to serve and protect the status quo. My experience on construction sites in Jamaica is that whether you are worker or management, you have to know how to 'flex', or else.
You have to know the culture. That is why most lotto buyers will tell you that if they ever win the jackpot, they will put $50 in the pocket of the boss and tell him to kiss his 'donkey'.
The jackpot is now at $35 million, and I think the gate will fly this Saturday. The numbers for last Saturday were 11, 17, 26, 31, 33, 36 and the bonus ball, 3. The numbers for this Wednesday were 6, 21, 22, 29, 31, 37 and the bonus ball, 8. The consecutive numbers were 21 and 22 and the repeated number was 31. I can tell you that in the next draw we will have three consecutive numbers.
I just received a telephone call from a friend while writing this article. He told me that the first time he was in a helicopter was flying off the Fiesta Hotel grounds. I have not changed my views since I feel management needs to know how to get along with workers. On the other hand, workers must provide good labour for their salaries.
I can tell you that fire and water will be hot among the rake this week. Would you swap your daughter for a parcel of land?
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