Wednesday 8 October 2014

Employers Counting the Pennies Lost to Chik-V: Chikungunya and Jamaica’s Productivity

One Panadol! One Panadol! (x2) Mosquito one, mosquito two, mosquito bite me mosquito bite you! is one of the tunes of the mosquito spread virus in Jamaica by the young, up and coming artiste Wayne J .While a number of Jamaican artistes are finding productivity in the outbreak of the Chikungunya virus by making songs poking fun at or informing the public about the virus, many other sectors of the work force are being combated by high levels of employee absenteeism. Employees are feeling the bite, a pinch to their pockets as they lose worker productivity. This attack on productivity by the virus has gotten the attention of The Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF).



The JEF expresses its concern about the threat to productivity on the island stemmed from an increase in the number of suspected cases of the Chikungunya virus. The JEF’s immediate past president Wayne Chen said the private sector is aware of an increase in employee absenteeism and the impact of the virus on the work force and the ripple effect on the economy could be significant. However, there is hope as the authorities work fervently to ensure that the outbreak does not attain epidemic status.
  
President of Jamaica Employers’ Federation – Wayne Chen 
A detailed analysis of the impact that the Chikungunya virus is having on Jamaica’s productive sector is being conducted. David Wan, President of the Federation, has stated that the initial responses to a Chik-V survey being conducted, from five per cent of its 400 members; a clear indication that productivity is being affected.

"Approximately 90 per cent of that five per cent that responded say that they've noticed an uptick in absences and sick-leave for flu-like symptoms," he said.

Wayne Chen- President of Jamaica's Employer Federation
Employers are being asked to empathize with employees in the wake of the truly crippling disease that renders its victims helpless to high fever, excruciating joint pain mainly in the hands, wrists, muscle pain and ankles and a rash. The Health Ministry states that even though the virus does not often result in death children and the elderly are at risk of more severe symptoms. 

The Health Ministry anticipates that this debilitating virus is likely to take its own “sick leave” in six to twelve months. Until then keep safe with mosquito repellents containing Deet, remove water from old tires bottles and cans around your house or workplace and close windows and doors in the evenings! 

Have a good one Master One Fam!

Written by Danielle Wright

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