Dominica’s prime minister has raised the question of punctuality in the workplace.
Addressing a Cooperatives Movement function this week, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said that a greater sense of diligence was required from the country’s workforce.
He has suggested that this is necessary “to allow there to be a greater output from each one of us, as individuals, as a collective in this country”.
“I believe that the issue of punctuality, the issue of starting functions on time, the issue of people coming to work on time and not leaving before time is critical,” the prime minister said.
“A small open economy like ours requires a greater sense of diligence. We cannot come to work when we want, and then when we come to work we spend time doing all sorts of things and then we want overtime,” he said.
According to the prime minister, if workers give their employers the eight hours that they are being paid for, there would be no need for overtime.
“We have to find a better way of increasing our output as individuals in this country,” he advised.
PM Skerrit says it’s a challenge he wants everyone to take up.
“We need to set a very clear example to succeeding generations, and diligence and punctuality are very very critical,” he added.
I agree with the Prime Minister but I want him to ask himself that when such habits are displayed by the subordinates, supervisors and managers etc and no disciplinary measure is taken against the perpetrators it appears that it is i can do and you cant do when wrong is wrong. It seems that the subordinates get the short end of the stick all the time and discipline goes right out the door.
If I should be candid here. I was at the PMH last Thursday for an ECG. I was forewarned to be present before 8:00AM, to be in line, in time to beat the crowd as the day wore on.
On arrival at the PMH at around 7:30, I found several patients were already present, awaiting the opening of the processing desk. Upon asking, I was confidently informed that the unit where the procedure is done opened at 8:00AM sharp.
The first nurse arrived at about 7:45AM. After greeting patrons with an hearty “good morning” (every Dominican does), she sought the opening of the doors to her booth from another source.
Eventually, five more nurses arrived, all between 7:55 and 8:20AM. Led by the Head Nurse, the practitioners milled about, huddled with each other and generally socialized and exchanged the latest gossip for a solid 45 minutes – between 7:20, the time the first nurse arrived “to work,” and around 8:20AM, when the last one arrived.
During all this time, there was the excuse of getting ready for work. This involved gathering assorted books, ledgers, chairs, lighting and other equipment necessary to facilitate work. All the time, the nurses laughed and chatted aimless talk – having nothing to do with the job, the tasks at hand or their calling. One conversations centered on who brought a liter of coke to some function and the nurses’ collective wondering “if he drink all the cokes.”
Another mindless behavior I witnessed was the widespread use of cell phones by all as they engaged in personal business on the job.
Suffice to say, I was the first to be attended to, at around 8:45AM, a full 45 minutes after the opening of the ECG facility!
Talk about wasting time and scarce resources in poor Dominica.
@ Truth Seeker
Was the Matron, Head Nurse or their supervisor aware of that? If I were in your situation I would be impatient and angry. They are supposed to report for work before the time they commence work so as to prepare their paraphernalia and at the appointed time they should then commence treating the patients. This is a laissez-faire attitude and really lousy treatment of patients.
This is why today there is more part-time work than full-time; probably not in Dominica. In the case of part-time work, they will have to clock-in and out and commence working on time.
Hate the dog, admit his teeth is white though. I 100% agree with the PM’s statement. Just like Mamo did a year of courtesy awareness in 1988, we need a year of punctuality awareness. Time is critical.
I dis PM, yeah! Fresh and young with ideas au current!
hahahahahahahha slavery days are gone, In the states it is a RAT RACE,…….DESPERATION have people working for 10 cents, but ten cents better than 0 cents so they have to do whatever they are told….in Dominica that is not the case. THE LAND STILL PROVIDES, even TRASH ROOF we have to shelter the rain… so we dont need to BEND OVER and take it in the rear like those who choose to live in the over populated rat pack cities….you all want better slaves, so you can TAKE HOME most of your profits right???? so you all bring in hatians, spanish and all kind of desperate people to work for 10 cents and hour… Dominicans stay PROUD, dont let them fool you!!!! they making enough profit to pay better….PAY BETTER….let us have a profit for WORK HARD TOO!!!!!!! sacway maychastey…..so every month is net profit 10 million then stupessssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Hate to say. You are an A888!!
What is your point. YOu are the problem. The PROBLEM. people who think and behave like you are the exact problem.
Nothing is stopping you from owning your company and reaping the huge profits you are claiming, but if you accepted a job, you accepted the terms and conditions. IF you don’t like the pay or conditions, resign. YOu can’t keep the position an refuse to do the work.
Soon all you lazy, ignorant people will find yourselves in the streets. Where is your ambition and sense of industrialism?
You have non based on your comment.
Be ashamed. In 2012 someone thinks like you? I am very surprised you are even able to use a PC and the Internet.
@ VIVA 1979
Are you a resident of Dominica? Why do you object? Employees are paid to perform a job. It is their duty to be on time and to perform their work efficiently and work the required number of hours they are paid for. What is wrong with that? This is good discipline and consideration.
Some cannot wait until after the Priest goes up the aisle and while the recessional hymn is being sung.
Those who reside abroad specifically in big countries are expected to be on time and to give their employers the number of required hours for their pay. This is the way the ball rolls. There are times some may be late for whatever reason but being consistently late and leaving early, they risk being dismissed. If they are dismissed and apply for employment benefit they could be denied it or penalized because of their negligence. Employees in DA should know this and commence practicing it in the event that they migrate overseas to work.
Whether people attend school, a meeting or are employed they are expected to be on time.
Tardiness is an overall problem. Even the parish Priest where I attend Churchh has spoken about the laity who arrive late to Church and leave right after the end of Holy Mass.
It is important to be on time, at all times and to work through the required hours unless there is an emergency. This is business.
you all are entitled to your opinions.
Someone made the same observations in the media a few months back and was castigated for his comments. We are a hypocritical bunch of people who will never advance because we only take heed when the advice comes from someone we support
pm i am not playing politics on this issue. i support you 100%. Dominicans worth ethics sucks……
not all public servants start work at 8. there are those who have to begin work before 6 and has to get to work on time.what are you doing about those? it hardly has bus service at that time.
how you get to work is your issue. you people need to get a grip on life. “what am i hearing dear nor?”
Punctuality was instilled in us at school, we should not make that an issue. Just do what needs to be done people. I remember my days at mahaut primary when Mr St Hilare would stand at the corner of the school in wait,and race us before we got to our classroom, maybe that’s how you guys should be treated.
They come to work late..and still take their problems to the workplace.Their attitudes really sell them out.Remember this is not for all of them.But when they come latebad attitude follows.
Well all that will happen is foreigners/Chinese/Hatians/Spanish/Venesuelans, will come and take their work nuh is all. Then they’ll come here and elswhere to run their mouth.
WE KNOW ALREADY, you all will import allu slaves…..not us that going back to slavery…. we will make our roof with pache coco……and eat our fig and oil. bathe in the river and use glory cedar for our soap….YES WI the land still providing in Dominica. it is not new york where if u cannot find soap and deodorant you pwi….hay heyyyyyyyy….. allu to wickkkkkkkeddd so allu want to make allu profit. by short paying people..
zor qweh nou sotttttttttttttttttttttt
Thats y u buy on bulk so u wont pwee lol
Meant in bulk typo error
when they in america they come work early cause the white man dont play that. so they do it down here because they will not get fire.In america my homeboy got fired at winn dixie for moping to slow.lol so can u imagine coming to work late.
So then it is a reflection of leadership then. The cow only jump where the gate is low. If they try that in America they will be out of a job immediately. In Dominica, they are in position for a lifetime.
You are sooo right. THey don’t dare do that in the State
stupes lovely dominican, land of the waterrrrrrrrrrr, go and stop the fig tree from provide nuh?? stop mango from bearing, stop the river from flowing fresh clean water, stop the sea from provide fish……hahahahahaha
NEVER SLAVERY AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr PM how can I come to work on time when my salary is always late.Come on charity begins at home.Set the example
“Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country”. Its all clear to me now why we won’t ever develop!
who that in the position to do MORE for the country, doing more for THEMSELVES. so is the small fry to bear the load lolllllllllllllllll man try some other line…
It is not the PM who prepares the salaries,it is the same workers who go to work late. If as he says employees are punctual and work the agreed hours the salaries, etc would also be produced on time.
so because ur salary late u have to to be late then…..
then quit your job. but you must b on time and work 100%
I am in total agreement with the PM. Get to work on time people.
Is not really a PM’s job to explain to the work force the importance of being punctual – it’s empolyers duty to inform prospective employees what they expect from them. BUT I imagine it’s difficult for them as the majority of Dominica’s work force are i)spoilt rotten; ii)they have no sense of responsibility as most of them (at all ages)still live at home and they know they will get a piece of the fig broth when mom cook and roof over their heads as mom will pay the rent etc etc. I also pity the PM as there are many more things he has to implore those spoilt rotten Dominicans to change for Dominica to move forward quicker without losing votes.
Everytime the PM talks I tend to agree with him, my question is; doesn’t he have the power to do something about it?” This thing about appointing persons in a position for a lifetime needs to be abolished. This is the hindrance to the development of the country. There are people in public offices who think that they are tied to those positions and do what they want, when they want and when they want. The govt needs to implement a new way of dealing with employees lack of performance and their attitudes on the job.
So Mr.Pm , I agree with you but I think you have the power to do something about it. Similarly, with the education system and everything you said about what is going on in the schools. You’ve got the power. I see people who are trusted with moving the country forward is holding it back. The saddest thing for a country is have people in position who think that they are indispensable.
If he does that they will go on Q95 so he will loose the next election. Many things are easier said than done but trust me am sure this P
The PM is right on that for sure,but Dominicans are face with so many economical challenges now alot of them are hurting inside but afraid to speak due to political victimization and also alot of them wear their ignorancy as a barge of honer they them trickle that stress to their work place.
thats right Mr. PM however if employees are not adequately compensated they wont feel urgency in putting a full 8hrs/days work.
We must balance the scale!
That’s ridiculous. when you apply for a job you know what the compensation is. if you decide to take it knowing what you will be paid, then you’re contracted to put in a full day’s work for the agreed amount. if you don’t like your pay, ask for a raise – if you don’t get it and you feel you cannot continue working for that pay, then quit – i’m sure someone else would do it.
u must have a degree in psych, nice one, but you all beat the horse till it dead with that OLD line..
Well said. What is wrong with dominicans. They think they must accept the job first, then make demands? When you didn’t like your parents rules, you got your own place. If you don’t like the working conditions, move and allow someone else the opportunity.
Start your own company!
P still believe in the phrase ” A fair days work for a fair days’s pay” and should also reverse it – “a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work”
sorry the P should really be “I: as in – I sstill believe……
Wow, so Mr Bellot (the gov’t’s productivity consultant) was right then, maybe just a little too blunt! The GDP of Dominica can improve almost overnight if Dominicans work their honest time… and be on time! IT’s the whole attitude of the Caribbean that you can always get something for nothing. ‘Freeness’ rules, eh?! Brings to mind the guy who recently got caught stealing, while he had enough money in his pocket to buy the item. Sad mentality.
BOY!! give it to them PM….I hope my salary Punctual this month end there eh….or I might have to consider a suspension.
and after it come late, it still tired wi, by time I send it domlec, dowasco, and marpin it telling me it tired, it cannot go and by the food much less the child school fees….. salary sa la feyah a chouy eh
we dont get a salary we get a stipend…community service we doin
i dont even have to read what the pm say i agree 100% them people in dominica dont no time
100% endorsement!!!!!!!!!!
tell these late comers try going to work at Domlec. they would be there before the cock crow. Not under the human resource manager that there they would ever do that
Is this crab language, what does this have to do with the topic here?
This is not maypuis for some DOMLEC Resource Manager…get with the program
After reading Sakway tonehs’ comment, I got the impression that he/she was saying that the HR person at DOMLEC would not tolerate employees arriving late. He/she is actually applauding this.
Perhaps other HR personnel should ask the DOMLEC
H.R personnel how they to can achieve the same results.
I totally agree with the P.M. His statement should also cover self employed trades persons.
This problem will never go away until we as a country start getting serious. We just talk a good talk for a few days and it’s the same old habbits all over. In Amba Vieille Case we had no water for over 2 months. Guys would come to work at whatever time they want and by 3pm they are all gone. The contractor was from V/case so everyone was scared to speak his or her mind. You speak your mind they are more upset than you the suffering man. I love my country but the rules applies to one set and that is not right. Dominica is a party country meaning when DLP is in power only DLP should eat and when UWP is in power only UWP should eat. That mentality needs to change and unless it changes Dominica will always fall behind the rest of the developing counties.
Love my country- I am from Ambas to and I have a problem with this issue too( I must know you)
Thought he would mention good governance, he must he scared of that phrase, since his administration is so guilty of such
Mr. Skerrit is right becuase everytime I am in D/A, I get upstet waiting for office to open, and have everyone scolling in after time.
As an employer I say AMEN to that!
As an an employer, what are you doing about it?
@hmmm and trouble….can you not be political for once my God… your statement clearly says you don t like this man
unfortunately the persons who are most often not punctual are the supervisors and higer ups in the business not the little man who trying to maintain his job. yet still is d little man dat does always get d blows. how many ministers at work at 8? everybody rolling in with their suv at 9.before 11 dey have to go an do something not to mention d lunch break dat ending at 3 so that u can never find them. One major problem Dominica has is MANAGEMENT. if you have a business being runned by a manager and you have supervisors and u see dat the business failing what do you do? fire d janitor cause he was late 5 minutes or d supervisors and manager who wasting more time with bigger salaries? we always thinking upside down in this country.
“With Malice towards none, With charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds.” LET US ALL BE TRUE TO OURSELVES AND TO OUR COUNTRY, DOMINICA IS OURS TO BUILD AND TO LOVE, LET US TREAT HER RIGHT.
Mr. Skerrit is absolutely right.
Punctuality starts from the head of the country….SO mr pm check up on your self then clean your back yard then you can speak out loud
In case u do not know PM is at work every day by after 7. Get your facts in order please.
i dnt think “hmmmmmm” was contrasting the PM’s puntuality to the rest of the country- his bad regin as PM is not a good motivator for the country (uncover your eyes n dnt be a smart)
Mr.Pm is right
OK PM SAY COME TO WORK WHEN YOU WANT. THAT WILL PLEASE THOSE JACK WAGONS THAT MAKING THESE STATEMENTS. THESE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT COMPLAIN WHEN OTHERS COME LATE. BUT BECAUSE IS THE PM THAT SAY THAT THEY VEX. ALL YOU MUST HAVE PRESSURE AND SUGAR.
AND YOU TELL ME WAT WE SHOULD DO TO GET A “GREATER OUTPUT” OUT OF YOU
I would think, support development!