Barbadian Prime Minister on getting the Caricom to produce unique Products
April 16, 2008
David Thompson, the Prime Minister of Barbados at a luncheon yesterday with the President of Trinidad and Tobago Manufactures’ Association said, “the Caricom needs to create unique products that make them competitive in a fully open market.”
While this is a thought with good intentions, the reality is that the Caribbean governments need to attract large North American companies. For example, large pharmaceutical companies, building material companies, and clothing production companies etc, can be given a tax incentive by out-posing in the Caribbean while creating jobs for Caribbeanites and boosting the local economy. Moreover, there are enough products to be made and China is gobbling the bulk of the manufacturing. Why! Are the Chinese better workers? Do the Chinese have better work ethics than Caribbean workers? Now more and more North Americans are looking to India for supplemental workforces. Are East Indians better workers than Caribbeanites? Why are companies looking to the East rather than the south for a workforce? Is it because these companies can acquire cheap labor? You bet your bottom dollar thats correct? But, added to that cheap labor is a reinforcement of valued and appreciated work ethics? Citibank, one of the largest investment banks in the world turned to India to support its’ 24 hour service center. Vonage Holdings, the Internet telephone company has one of their call centers in India. Why not in the Caribbean?
The question I am trying to convey is why are more North American companies aiming to the East rather than the South? So as to the comment of creating unique products Prime Minister Thompson, you should look at the qualitative dichotomy that segregates the East from the South and the Stigma that is associated with Caribbean workers? Lastly, you should conduct you own analysis by observing the active behaviors Caribbeanites in the workplace to that of North American workers. I am sure you would find some contrasting characteristics that can be overtly observed.
Reader, do you think workers in China and India encompass more valued work ethics than workers in the Caribbean?
Read the full article.
Andrew
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3 Responses to “Barbadian Prime Minister on getting the Caricom to produce unique Products”
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china and india have slave labour and modern machines and factories where the slaves work. thompson better do some history lessons before he babbles off again
In some cases that is true, I agree. Can you say it not not the same the U.S? I can share many examples. Nevertheless, the point was that caribbeanites can learn valuable work ethics from Asian counterparts. I have had the opportnity to spend time, Vietnam, Laos, Taiwan, and Hong Kong about two years ago, I returned a few months ago from Jamaica, Cayman, and Trinidad and Guyana. From an observatioal standpoint, Caribbeanites can learn a thing or two from their asian couterparts about valued work ethics and the ownership of one’s place as part the larger realm of things.
Kim, is that all they have; slave labor?? Is that what is really driving their economy?
I agree, “Why not in the Caribbean?” That’s the very question I have been asking. I’ll tell you why, because the majority of West Indian people are too skeptical to do anything. All they do is b—h and moan about the government and this or the other. They don’t have the motivation or drive to go and make that happen.
With your skepticism aside, are you telling me that none of those things are possible in the Caribbean? That India and China are thriving on “slave labor”?