[ad_1]
Integrating or infusing work culture into the psyche of common citizens is not a task that can be accomplished easily – be it for the government, public sector or private sector.
This mentality must be instilled from a young age; from housework and domestic duties to school work and later in the workforce, it should be a basic task, just as “plain and simple”. However, it is definitely not a “cut and paste” situation, as everyone has different norms and practices that people will exploit to make a living in order to survive in the long run.
It is commendable that the Government has recently seen the need to liaise with the private sector for in-depth commercial consultations on issues of mutual interest.
Business representatives from the local community recently held an “unprecedented” meeting with Cabinet. The talks were aimed at addressing pressing issues facing the private sector in the post-COVID-19 era and developing tactical solutions that will help boost Saint Lucia’s socio-economic development.
While noting the commitment of the current government to promote “inclusive governance practices”, in a wider context, it has been determined that socio-economic development and progress in Saint Lucia requires synergy and full collaboration among stakeholders, supported by the strategic policies of the government.
The Philip J. Pierre-led government recently held talks with business leaders on how to boost the local business community. The meeting was also seen as an opportunity to “brainstorm” potential solutions to the challenges facing businesses in Saint Lucia.
With the participation of the Minister of Commerce and other government ministers, business representatives expressed their views on issues of concern to them. Government ministers reportedly gained a deeper understanding of the “productive exchanges”.
Business people then shared their views on the consultation findings. The general responses conveyed the views of various business people.
Unsurprisingly, these statements range from “absolutely necessary” to “…whatever we can do in terms of working with the government.”
Other comments said, “We think it is very unique and very timely,” and “We hope that this engagement will be seen as robust, voluntary, and empowering stakeholders to play our part.”
However, other businessmen added: “It has led to a better understanding between the two sides” and therefore, “the private sector has had an opportunity to voice some of the concerns and worries that their members have.”
Another business representative pointed out: “The government may be the institution that can really promote the establishment of this entity.”
It is noteworthy that the Cabinet’s policy decisions clearly identify the needs of citizens and the private sector. On the other hand, local businesses need responsive policies and interventions from the government to adequately address systemic issues in the private sector.
Recently, government sources have stressed that the strategic policy measures implemented by the government will bring immeasurable benefits to citizens. These factors include continued tax amnesties and relief, strengthening the balance sheet and “unlocking” capital.
In addition, the authorities also talked about the soft loan and subsidy programs being introduced to encourage investment and stimulate growth.
Still, things are not as simple as they seem. There are still many holes in the system and the wider “plan” that need to be considered.
First, while the government promotes and implements measures aimed at stimulating entrepreneurship, there is still a reluctance among some to accept the workforce or “daily workload” agenda.
The government’s target customers are the young and old in the community – the Youth Economic Agency (YEA) provides employment opportunities, small and medium enterprise subsidy loan facilities and other social programs that benefit the common people.
Yet, despite this, we still have people who are more susceptible to the “job hopping” mentality. Many times, due to the circumstances at the time and the individual’s socio-economic background, they are unable to do better and will settle for the simplest menial job as a means of surviving in the nick of time.
In the wider context of work, a government official stressed that inculcating a “work mentality” in the minds of citizens is crucial to promoting economic growth, productivity and sustainable development of the country. The official said that while some people may find the 9-5 or 8-11 work routine boring and monotonous, cultivating a work attitude is beneficial in the long run.
But more importantly, the idea of hiring a more skilled workforce is also crucial. It is worth noting that we live in a technological age where the skills and qualifications required to get a job are becoming more rigorous and complex.
In this era of constant development and change, the world has been defined as a global village where marketing, trade and profit are open to everyone as long as you have the funds required to complete the task.
As a country develops, work is an essential part of progress. Maintaining one’s own habitat and providing basic necessities for oneself and one’s family are primary concerns, and all of these factor into the work agenda or concept.
While most citizens work to improve the lot of themselves and their extended families, it is also important to note that through work we are able to develop our habitats, communities, and the nation as a whole.
In the workforce, labor productivity is defined as output per worker or per hour worked. Factors that affect labor productivity include worker skills, technological change, changes in management practices, and other inputs such as capital.
Alternatively, productivity refers to the amount of work that an individual or group completes in a certain amount of time. Higher productivity means you get more done with less time or effort. You can measure achievement by the quality of your work, the number of tasks completed, or the number of products created.
Therefore, it is very important to upgrade the skills of workers to semi-skilled or skilled employees.
Some of the more routine jobs can be found in the form of employment on construction sites, road maintenance and road network upgrades, drainage works, etc.
While there was a time when people had the opportunity to study basic building maintenance courses at Morne Fortune academic institutions, these courses have been upgraded over the years. Now, people need to work towards higher qualifications to enter other areas of work in mechanical engineering, quantity surveying, architecture, building technology, interior design and the construction industry.
The problem also extends to workers in the agriculture and fishing sectors, where workers are taking on more skilled and higher-quality jobs, and to workers in other areas generally.
Work culture is often defined as the lifeblood of an organization; it is the set of values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that shape the work environment and influence employee interactions. A strong and positive work culture can increase employee satisfaction, productivity, and organizational success.
Work culture is influenced by a variety of factors, including a company’s leadership style, communication patterns, employee diversity, and workplace policies.
Notably, now is an excellent time for both public and private sector entities to implement “massive” job training programs for short-term or long-term benefits so that the country keeps pace with the times and improves the productivity of the workforce.
[ad_2]
Source link