Good governance needs good communication

Without having to think about it, we all know that efficient two-way communication is the lifeblood of good governance.

Sadly, it’s an aspect often neglected, to the detriment of crucial government policies and programmes.

We are led to this by what we consider to be an excellent article written by Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke, appearing in yesterday’s Sunday observer, which sought to explain the necessity of the public sector compensation restructuring programme, the associated challenges, and benefits.

Beyond a newspaper column, we believe the finance ministry and wider Government need to help itself by communicating in a targeted, comprehensive, integrated manner with people — at their level, in simple language, using all available outlets.

obviously, this should be inclusive of media, such as newspaper, radio, and television; social media platforms; face-to-face meetings at work places and offices with trade union reps; and so forth.

We do not believe such a project needs to be very expensive. Much turns on will and creativity, such as was shown by Dr Clarke in writing yesterday’s article.

We will never know, but we have to wonder: Could the damage done by last week’s work stoppages have been avoided had there been a focused programme aimed at explaining the public sector compensation restructuring programme to public sector workers and the wider Jamaica?

Conditions which lead to discontent for public sector workers cannot be divorced from the wider society or the national economy.

Last week’s strikes (illegal or not) of National Water Commission workers and air traffic controllers — though of short duration — caused serious damage to the Jamaican economy and for ordinary people, providing a frightening glimpse of the trauma should such actions be prolonged.

Explaining the “developmental imperative” of the restructuring exercise, Dr Clarke tells us that: “A fair and equitable compensation system is essential to attracting and retaining the talent needed to design and manage an efficient bureaucracy. A compensation system that delivers liveable pensions is a key component of generational equity. A simple compensation system is critical to accomplishing more in the same time, a boost to national efficiency and productivity. And a transparent compensation system is important for employee satisfaction and an economically stable Jamaica.” in urging “patience” and understanding, Dr Clarke says the restructured system is approaching the finish line, though there are challenges ahead. The “darkest” hour, he reminds us, is just before dawn. he says appropriate “consultations” with workers and their representatives — which critics say have been grossly inadequate up to now — will intensify in the weeks and months ahead.

Dr Clarke and the wider Government are well aware that an employee who now finds that $10,000 can no longer fill up his/her gas tank or that $5,000 can no longer cover a week’s basic groceries for a small family will naturally fret — even panic. What’s to happen up ahead when non-taxable benefits no longer exist and from his/her perspective there is no clear, immediate path to even the semblance of a decent salary?

For that reason, the Government, in addition to the very necessary consultations with worker reps, should communicate in a credible, transparent way with its employees to keep hope alive and ensure the rest of us remain on something resembling an even keel.

Except for the views expressed in the column above, the articles published on this page do not necessarily represent the views of the Jamaica Observer.