Citation
(2006), "New productivity council", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 55 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijppm.2006.07955aab.008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
New productivity council
Union officials are pressing for a National Productivity Council in the Bahamas, as “a way to enhance the working relationships among government, employers, workers and their representatives”. Former trade unionist Frank Carter said that “We’ve looked at some examples of countries that have established councils over the last five years. Their GDP has increased. Their economic performance has remained consistently high and the benefits and the spinoffs will again help us to sustain our own economic growth.”
Union leaders are suggesting that such a council is really be a preventative measure to counteract inefficiencies in the work place before they develop. Overseas advocates are pushing that point too. “Even though The Bahamas might not be in a crisis, there is a dire need to ensure that its competitive position is not eroded and hence greater attention and attentiveness be placed on improving consistent productivity levels across all entities in the organisation”, said John Pilgrim, Executive Director of The Barbados National Executive Council.
Unionists are indicating that Bahamian industries are already operating above the bar and suggesting that the productivity council is simply a way to maintain and enhance production and output.
“When you look at the per capita income of The Bahamas it is fairly high, especially compared to the Caribbean. The quality of life is also quite high, but again we cannot leave growth and development to chance by virtue of the fact that we are doing well. We want to do better”, Mr Pilgrim added.
The Bahamas is examining The Barbados National Productivity Council model as a template for its own council. But although sides may argue on the degree to which inefficiencies exist in some Bahamian industries, if any, the country’s economy is not threatened like Barbados’ economy was in 1993, when the situation led to the establishment of the Barbados Council.