Tweet
Prognosis on passports and productivity
Published: Thursday | November 19, 2009
Devon Dick
The low levels of Jamaica's productivity, as shown in a recent release, indicate there are problems in our society. In addition, the large percentage increases on passport fees and the reaction of the public further demonstrate that there are major problems.
Furthermore, there is a connection between passport fees and productivity.
Last week, Jamaica was informed that passport fees will increase between 80 per cent and 380 per cent on various categories of passports and that the productivity at the workplace is declining and so are real wages. Jamaica's productivity is worse than that of our Caribbean partners and our workers have a worse living standard than that enjoyed by persons in Trinidad. The decline is getting worse with each succeeding year.
The reaction of thousands of Jamaicans to the passport increases demonstrates that we have serious economic and governance issues. It is remarkable that so many Jamaicans could, at such short notice, spend a day or two to save between $1,200 and $7,000. It meant that their time was not worth, in some cases, even $1,200 for the day. And for others, it means that productivity at the workplace would have declined in pursuit of saving a couple thousand dollars.
Too many unemployed
The passport increases demonstrate that too many persons are not gainfully employed and too many are not producing at an acceptable level. Additionally, too many are so underpaid that spending two days seeking to save a couple thousand of dollars was worth it financially.
Productivity will not increase under these conditions.
Furthermore, this sharp increase of between 80 per cent and 380 per cent in three days was insensitive. It was too much and too soon. This was unbearable stress on people.
About two years ago, I recall British train fares being increased and the British public was given months notice of the pending increase which was nothing like these percentages and aggregate amounts. These increases are unconscionable and are not in line with inflation. And even if it can be justified, based on cost recovery, then it should be phased over a two-year period.
Is there no limit to the increases that a government agency can levy against people? We need a body such as the Office of Utilities Regulation that would determine price increases for The Government services. It cannot be that we are at the sudden mercy of the Government and its representatives. We need to be convinced that the increases are justified by an independent body. And these bodies must given additional information for these draconian increases.
Height of wickedness
And the oppression continued in the passport saga. After such sharp increases, after not putting in place adequate staff for the passport seekers, after closing early one afternoon and after having people leave their homes at ungodly hours, the authorities had tow-away trucks to remove vehicles in the wee hours
. This is the height of wickedness (wickedness fi true). Suffering people trying to save a $1,200 and they will have to pay more than that for the return of their vehicles because a government agency increases the fees sharply and did not make adequate provision for them!
Both the American Embassy and the British High Commission have improved the inhumane conditions that used to be associated with getting visas but the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency has regressed by having such large crowds in untenable conditions for such long hours. At a minimum, there should be three weeks' notice and not three days. And more comfortable arrangements should have been made for the clients.
The prognosis on passports and productivity is awful and the treatment of fellow citizens in the passport fiasco to use prime ministerial words was "unacceptable, embarrassing and repugnant".
Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot: the Church in Nation Building'. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.
Published: Thursday | November 19, 2009
Devon Dick
The low levels of Jamaica's productivity, as shown in a recent release, indicate there are problems in our society. In addition, the large percentage increases on passport fees and the reaction of the public further demonstrate that there are major problems.
Furthermore, there is a connection between passport fees and productivity.
Last week, Jamaica was informed that passport fees will increase between 80 per cent and 380 per cent on various categories of passports and that the productivity at the workplace is declining and so are real wages. Jamaica's productivity is worse than that of our Caribbean partners and our workers have a worse living standard than that enjoyed by persons in Trinidad. The decline is getting worse with each succeeding year.
The reaction of thousands of Jamaicans to the passport increases demonstrates that we have serious economic and governance issues. It is remarkable that so many Jamaicans could, at such short notice, spend a day or two to save between $1,200 and $7,000. It meant that their time was not worth, in some cases, even $1,200 for the day. And for others, it means that productivity at the workplace would have declined in pursuit of saving a couple thousand dollars.
Too many unemployed
The passport increases demonstrate that too many persons are not gainfully employed and too many are not producing at an acceptable level. Additionally, too many are so underpaid that spending two days seeking to save a couple thousand of dollars was worth it financially.
Productivity will not increase under these conditions.
Furthermore, this sharp increase of between 80 per cent and 380 per cent in three days was insensitive. It was too much and too soon. This was unbearable stress on people.
About two years ago, I recall British train fares being increased and the British public was given months notice of the pending increase which was nothing like these percentages and aggregate amounts. These increases are unconscionable and are not in line with inflation. And even if it can be justified, based on cost recovery, then it should be phased over a two-year period.
Is there no limit to the increases that a government agency can levy against people? We need a body such as the Office of Utilities Regulation that would determine price increases for The Government services. It cannot be that we are at the sudden mercy of the Government and its representatives. We need to be convinced that the increases are justified by an independent body. And these bodies must given additional information for these draconian increases.
Height of wickedness
And the oppression continued in the passport saga. After such sharp increases, after not putting in place adequate staff for the passport seekers, after closing early one afternoon and after having people leave their homes at ungodly hours, the authorities had tow-away trucks to remove vehicles in the wee hours
. This is the height of wickedness (wickedness fi true). Suffering people trying to save a $1,200 and they will have to pay more than that for the return of their vehicles because a government agency increases the fees sharply and did not make adequate provision for them! Both the American Embassy and the British High Commission have improved the inhumane conditions that used to be associated with getting visas but the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency has regressed by having such large crowds in untenable conditions for such long hours. At a minimum, there should be three weeks' notice and not three days. And more comfortable arrangements should have been made for the clients.
The prognosis on passports and productivity is awful and the treatment of fellow citizens in the passport fiasco to use prime ministerial words was "unacceptable, embarrassing and repugnant".
Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot: the Church in Nation Building'. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.
Comment