The Productivity Council will embark on a National Productivity Awareness Programme to highlight the importance of sustaining productivity levels in the labour force.
Minister of Economic Affairs and Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce, Dr. David Estwick, said Government had already approved the funds for the project that would involve the participation of the supervisory and non-supervisory staff; the trade union movement; schools; community groups and other partners.
Speaking to participants attending the Productivity Council’s Week of Excellence, three-day seminar at the Grand Salle, Tom Adams Financial Centre, last Monday, he said the participants will spread the message through the use of multi-media technology, seminars and the distribution of educational materials over the next five years.
Dr. Estwick said Barbados’ ability to maintain and enhance its socio-economic standing was dependent on improvements in productivity, efficiency and service quality levels.
He also advised employers to “encourage all employers and managers across the various sectors (profit-centered or governmental) to recognise the importance of fulfilling the objectives of the organisation, its employees and ultimately, the national competitive agenda”.
Noting that initiatives to address poor service and low productivity had generated much discussion, Dr. Estwick lauded the Productivity Council and the National Initiative for Service Excellence (NISE) for being at the forefront of highlighting the need to adopt new standards and processes to achieving excellence.
He also urged the Social Partnership to identify an awards scheme that would place emphasis on areas such as pride in work; satisfaction with the employer; recognition and feedback for one’s contribution; personal support from supervisors; improved productivity; job satisfaction and sharing the gains among other categories.