Employers, Workers Urged to Collaborate to Boost Productivity

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Delroy Chuck, is calling on employers and workers to collaborate to advance productivity in Jamaica.

“It is in the interest of the employer and the employee to see how best we can be more productive so that service can be better offered to people,” he said.

Minister Chuck was addressing a commissioning ceremony for 76 new Justices of the Peace (JP) for St. Catherine held on Wednesday (Feb. 25) at the Lighthouse Assembly in Spanish Town.

He said that improving productivity is crucial in attaining the sustained levels of growth needed to empower Jamaicans to participate in the economy and lift themselves out of poverty.

He noted that one way for employers to drive productivity is to invest in workers through training and offering higher wages.

“It will not take away your profit because if you train them, pay them better, you might get more profit, you might attract more customers, and therefore you become more productive,” he contended.

Noting that a productive society has more capacity for compassion and care, Minister Chuck highlighted the various instances where individuals and businesses rallied and supported people affected by Hurricane Melissa.

“The caring nature is within us, but we need to do it more often. We mustn’t wait on Melissa or another Melissa to do it. We need to be so productive so that we are always looking out for the less fortunate, for the employee who is at the bottom, to see how they can lift themselves,” he added.

Meanwhile, Minister Chuck urged the newly commissioned JPs to work together and collaborate more closely with the police to displace persons “who want to destroy Jamaica, those who think they can get something for nothing”.

“[This] is something that you must work on. Work together, work with other agencies, especially the police, because this year, especially when it comes to crime, we want another significant reduction. It sends the right signal, and it sends the signal to the gunmen ‘you have no space in Jamaica’,” he said.

“We must ensure that Jamaica is a place that you want to not only rest your head, but can live in peace and harmony,” he added.