No.177/2005

PRODUCTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP

A two-day workshop on productivity, performance and competitiveness began here today at the Foreign Affairs Conference room. Executive Director of the Barbados Productivity Council John Pilgrim is facilitating the workshop.

Addressing the forum, Mr. Pilgrim said developing productivity related systems is at the core of enhancing productivity at all levels of society. He applauded the initiative of the Government in establishing a National Productivity Centre, noting that this is an important step in promoting and enhancing productivity. Mr. Pilgrim said such a centre should be supported by the private, public and community sectors.

He said poor productivity puts pressure on the leadership and economy of the country; therefore the centre should collaborate with organisations and companies on a regular basis so they can measure and assess performances and productivity levels.

Also addressing the forum was General Secretary of the National Workers Movement Noel Jackson. Mr. Jackson said it is important for St. Vincent and the Grenadines to develop a culture of production because of the demands of the global marketplace. He added that such a culture must be embraced if this country is to benefit from the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Gerald Crick of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Employer’s Federation called on Vincentians to become more disciplined and productive, he said the carefree attitude is something that must be discarded in this globalised system.

Meanwhile…Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s office with special responsibility for Grenadines and Labour Affairs Senator Edwin Snagg said productivity issues are pivotal for economic survival.

Senator Snagg said the challenges of the World Trade Organisation and the Caricom Single Market and Economy mean that productivity and competitiveness are key concepts that must be embraced by the Vincentian public. He applauded the work of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) sub-regional Office in Trinidad and Tobago.

The workshop is being conducted in collaboration with the Department of Labour and the International Labour Organisation’s sub-regional office in Trinidad and Tobago. The theme for the workshop is ‘Utilising productivity measurements and performance-related payment schemes for international competitiveness’.

June 13th 2005