EDITORIAL: Opportunities being wasted

 

IT has long been argued by some persons in this society that there is a definite need for a paradigm shift in the way in which Barbados operates, particularly as it relates to hours of work.
 
In the year 2016, it is almost unbelievable that most local businesses still operate 9 a.m. 
 
to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and while some open on weekends, they favour Saturdays and close early. This reality can result in reduced productivity across the system, especially where employees who work Monday to Friday are forced to leave work to conduct personal business that can also only be done Monday to Friday.
 
But this country has long been poised to move towards a 24-hour system and if concerted efforts are not made soon to capitalise on that potential, we fear that it will not only have an impact on locals, but put the country in a position where it can become globally uncompetitive. As a jurisdiction which is pushing its international business and financial services sector, and that has been promoting the idea of exporting more goods and services, we have to be able to meet the demands of international clients who are demanding more accessibility in real time.
 
So to ensure that they can be facilitated, legislation may have to be amended to help create the kind of environment that is conducive for businesses to operate longer hours. This goes not only for the private sector but Government offices as well, which need to have more flexible working hours, and where that cannot be done it is imperative that persons can at least conduct business online. It is imperative then that all Government entities that take payments not only have the ability to accept payments online, but ensure those sites are always up and running. Being offline for even a day will not be acceptable.
 
Now the idea of extended operating hours is not farfetched given the Shops Act passed late last year, which among other things amended the opening hours of shops. Under the new Act the hours in which a shop is allowed to open is now be between 7 a.m. on Mondays right through to 10 p.m. on Sundays. They are now only required by law to close between 10 p.m. on Sunday and 7 a.m. on Mondays. But from casual observation, it does not seem as though many businesses are taking advantage of the new provision. This is indeed disheartening as it was hoped that if more businesses took advantage of it, that it would lead to an expansion of the economy by way of businesses being able to boost their revenue and provide additional employment opportunities.  
 
Certainly in about four weeks’ time several businesses will be opening later to accommodate shoppers for the yuletide season as they customarily do, but they do not need to wait until December to do so. Just as Barbadians frequent Bridgetown and the various shopping malls at night during the holidays, if given the opportunity to do so year round, we have no doubt they will cash in on the opportunity then too.
 
The question needs to be asked, ‘Then why are businesses not opening earlier or later?’ If it is that they are finding difficulty in meeting the other provisions of the Act, in particular as it relates to ensuring the health and safety of workers and their security, especially if they work late at night, then Government may need to work closely with interested businesses to get their workspaces up to scratch to ensure profitability for them and Barbados.

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000