Who Says Crime Doesn't Pays?

While growing up we always learn that crime doesn't pay. But, in Jamaica, there is no doubt that crime pays for those politicians who are getting away with crimes that an ordinary citizen would be immediately charged and serve lengthy jail time. Only in Jamaica.........................

A Day Of Poor Customer Service From Government Workers

At 9:00 am, a call was made to Tax Administration office to determine where license plates could be returned since the vehicle had not been operable for several years. "It's okay to go to any office" was the response from a phone representative, so the Portmore Revenue office was selected because of its close proximity. After approaching a service rep at the Portmore office, this was the response, "Sorry, we do not take license plates.. ..go to the Spanish Town or the Constant Spring office."??!! Nevertheless, the trek was made to the Spanish Town Island Revenue office, and it did not take long to speak to a representative. However, it would have been worth while waiting for another customer representative who would have been more courteous and could have patiently explained procedures to a novice who was unfamiliar with the system. This representative looked as if she had been working at the Spanish Town Tax office for ages, so it was presumed that she was knowledgeable. However,she is a perfect example of the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." In fact, the lack of communication was so poor that there was no knowledge when she completed the service since she said nothing. After innocently remaining at the counter, she had to eventually inform that the service was completed. Guess, she wanted to get to her next victim. But, before leaving, another question was asked and after pondering her response, it was later found to be totally inaccurate since it would have caused a lengthy process when there was a simpler method that was not communicated.  Next stop ..........the Caymanas Police Station  a/k/a Gregory Park Police Station. Making a report for a lost title at a  time the female constable was attending to her personal business caused her to be irritable, loud, and condescending. Never mind her obligation to work .......how dare anyone interrupt her from getting that special phone number to make that call on her cell phone. Frankly, she was downright rude and it is inconceivable how she is part of the police force...........but then again through history, this government body is not known to attract the best or brightest candidates.  Will the bad customer service reputation that is generally associated with Jamaican government workers ever change. Given the experiences today, there is little chance............we can only hope.

Government Travel Abuse

A perk for government ministers and political cronies who are given the gift of high level civil service positions is that they can fly for free on any airline courtesy of tax payers. They are allowed to board early, relax in their first class seats, and watch as tax payers pass through the first class cabin to the economy cabin. How ironic! It is customary to see government ministers and other leaders of statutory agencies sitting in this first class section. However, providing their entourage with first class seating is not how tax payers expect their moneys to be spent. Colin Campbell's entourage first class seating accommodations on March 21's flight from Miami demonstrates this travel expense misuse and would certainly not have occurred if the fares for his employees were coming out of his own pocket.  So, in a country that is experiencing high financial burden and citizens are asked to "tighten their belts", it is mind boggling to see such  action that not only shows hypocrisy but a lack of respect for tax payers.

Government Contributing To The Brain Drain?

It is customary for foreign private companies to recruit teachers to work in their countries. However the Jamaican government demonstrates that they have no qualms of contributing to the brain drain. The government’s classified education advertisement requests for 59 English language teachers to teach in China. Now, sending 59 of the best who make it through the selection process means that there will be 59 vacancies to teach a subject that requires experienced teachers. In their deal with China, did the government not consider that the high vacancies would mean that Jamaican students would be deprived of some of the best English Language educators who will be taking their talents elsewhere? What was this deal between the Chinese and the Jamaican governments in exchange for? It certainly could not be an exchange for Chinese Science teachers!!?? So, we continue to see the outcomes of sinister dealings between the Chinese and Jamaican governments.

Foreign Teachers, Think Twice Before Applying for U.S. Teaching Jobs

Many foreign teachers are fed-up with pay and other issues affecting teachers in their countries. So, they are enticed by international employment agencies such as RIC Search Group who has been advertising for teachers to come to work in the USA. However, these teachers must beware of the fine prints of the high costs and other expectations that will be required if they apply. First, the steep US$150 is non-refundable so this so-called processing fee will be lost if the teacher does not meet the agency's requirements. Further, once the teacher is accepted, the company assesses fees for the most minute services for at least two years and that will certainly leave the teacher living from hand-to-mouth for a long time even after the contract with the agency is terminated. It is also important to mention that foreign teachers will be assigned to the worst schools that are unfortunately located within the inner city. By the way, native born Americans often do not care to take such teaching positions, and if they do, many do not stick around for a long time.  So, time and effort will not be spent teaching but in addressing serious behavioral problems that foreign  teachers are not used to dealing with especially since the culture is different from their own. This difficulty is very stressful and can sometimes lead to a medical issues. So, think twice before applying for teaching jobs in the USA. Don't jump from the frying pan into the fire! The following website gives a clear picture of the issues that a foreign teacher may face.
http://www.examiner.com/article/foreign-teachers-take-u-s-teaching-jobs

Dr. Errol Morrison and Easton Douglas - Irresponsible Appointment Gone Wrong

The ongoing UTech problems are not surprising.  It was just a matter of time for Dr. Errol Morrison's ineffective leadership to become intolerable. Dr. Morrison is a physician and well known locally for his specialty in addressing diabetes issues. However, when his name was announced in 2007 to assume the responsibility as president of a learning institution, there was skepticism on his knowledge and ability to lead such a prominent university. This is just one of the many leadership appointments that are given based on politics and friendship to people who simple have no knowledge or experience to successfully do a good job outside of their comfort zone. Instead, they have to rely on the knowledge of experts who eventually get tired of being used and not getting any recognition. With time on the hands of inexperienced appointees, their idle minds lead to no good. So, quite often, an autocratic leadership style along with illegal and deceptive practices will occur, as in the case of UTech.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140312/lead/lead2.html

Easton Douglas ..............he made his intentions clear during his CVM interview on the program, "Direct" with Garfield Burford, when he defiantly argued that as the Managing Director for NHT's board of Directors, he must  have an office in the NHT building to oversee the day-to-day operations of the institution??!!  So far four prominent, well-respected  board members have resigned, and this lack of confidence demonstrates Douglas's inability to lead the board. If he cannot lead a board, then his desire to be the CEO of the institution would certainly present a problem. But, in a desire for power, it is difficult to see such shortcomings.