Seek Assistance of JPC to Boost Productivity – Kellier

Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, is urging private and public sector companies to seek the assistance of the Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations.

The improvement in operational efficiencies, he said, will not only boost the productivity of the business, but also help to “get the country’s productivity index moving again”.

“We are far down on the productivity index, and if we change this situation we will be able to change the status of the country to make it more productive and so we can employ more workers,” he stated.

The Minister was speaking yesterday (May 16) during a tour of companies, which have benefited from the interventions of the JPC and are reporting improvement in operations.

He stated that the JPC was set up to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the Jamaican economy and is available “to serve everyone.”

The companies toured by the Minister were the Uniform Centre located in Kingston and the Jamaica Bedding Company Limited in Old Harbour, St. Catherine.

The JPC, in 2010, assessed the companies’ needs and provided them with assistance in areas of staff training, waste reduction, energy conservation, factory layout, and production scheduling.

UC manufactures and supplies uniforms to companies locally and throughout the Caribbean. The JPC developed a proposal for the business, which involved training the employees and implementing the principles of the 5S – Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain, to create a more efficient working environment.

As a result of the JPC’s intervention, production at the company increased and the factory currently produces between 15 and 18 pieces of garment per person per day. The company has also implemented an energy saving programme, which led to a reduction in energy costs.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Bedding Company, which makes polyethylene foam, beds and furniture, is reporting a 25 per cent increase in productivity, from improved technical and economic efficiencies.

Staff was trained and measures put in place to eliminate waste, while the layout of the factory was rearranged to facilitate the efficient use of space.

Minister Kellier said he was pleased with the outcome of the JPC’s intervention at both companies.

“What we have found out is that there has been great improvement in the productivity levels. It is not yet where we expect it to be in respect of where other countries are, but indeed, they have made a giant leap so far and we want to congratulate them,” he stated.

The tour by the Minister is among several activities planned by the Ministry, in observance of Workers’ Week from May 19 to 23.

He was accompanied by a team from the Ministry, the Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF) and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU).

The JPC is the national organisation responsible for promoting and facilitating productivity enhancement at the national, sectoral, industry, and enterprise levels.

It is a tripartite organisation comprising the Ministry, JCTU, and JEF.

CONTACT: E. HARTMAN RECKORD