EDITORIAL
In the past few weeks since the 2018 General Elections, the new Barbados Labour Party government, led by the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, has been focused mainly on steering the country’s economy back from the brink of disaster. There have been meetings locally with representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a trip to Washington to visit the Managing Director of that organisation; meetings with the local trade unions; and also meetings with representatives of the private sector, all signifying an effort by the crucial Social Partnership to come to an agreement on the way forward in managing the national debt and lowering expenditure, while seeking to increase revenues from exports and in key sectors like tourism.
In addition to Government’s initial measures, which were outlined in the recent mini-Budget, a tightening of the economic reins must mean improved productivity across the board as well – in the public and private sectors, and amongst employers and employees.
No longer can past behaviours be allowed to continue. For instance, with regard to the public sector, Barbadians have long been frustrated with the level of customer service dished out at the various departments across the island where essential business takes far too long to be completed and appears far more complicated than it should. This has led to the inefficiency of Government bureaucracy being identified as the most damaging factor for doing business in Barbados in the Global Competitiveness Report. Conversely, in the private sector the issue of productivity can be traced to high levels of absenteeism (being away from work, often on sick leave) and presenteeism (being present at work without actually working at full capacity).
This type of attitude and behaviour would hamper any plan to improve the economy. An inept civil service would not only upset locals, but could discourage investors and international businesses from operating in Barbados. Also, if companies have low profits and inadequate products as a result of disgruntled, unsatisfied employees, then competitiveness on the international market would be impacted, along with each individual’s personal income.
If Barbados is to turn itself around, then every person has to pull himself/herself up and operate at a higher efficiency. Yet, how would one go about reforming productivity in an organisation? According to resources made available from the Productivity Council’s website, methods to motivate employees include pay increases, cash bonuses, giving praise, and by establishing non-cash incentive schemes like awards, time off or development opportunities.
Still, employees can only increase productivity if an organisation is on the right path. Companies that are poorly structured, have little to no resources with regard to equipment and technology, fail to train/offer training to staff, and lack an overall goal and operation plan, will always run into problems despite any increased effort by employees.
Therefore, it is evident that everyone has a part to play. The time has come for accountability and change, not only from elected officials, but from every individual in every post and at every level of office. Everyone needs to be honest with themselves, work towards the betterment of this country and value contributions. It is time for action. Barbadians have become too accustomed to spouted rhetoric and empty promises from every direction. It cannot continue.