Performance pay for Politicians

By Paul Andrew Bourne, M.Sc. (pending); B.Sc. (Hons) UWI; Dip. Edu.


The PNP administration and the governing policymakers have been eagerly promoting "performance pay for teachers." This is rightfully so in an economy with dwindling resources and low productivity. In a global context of high-end competition, the missing element to date in the discussion is, "what about those at the helm of the society?"
In this nation, many people continue to advocate for the fundamental issues of productivity pay incentive. Nevertheless, for some who stress its importance, they have a narrow view on the matter, in that, they are forwarding a perspective primarily for the teachers but what of the doctors, nurses and university lecturers While productivity is a challenging economic phenomenon lacks a sociological perspective, policymakers in developing nations have trampled upon the significant issues because of political inexpediency. They are eagerly pursue policies that not directly change their lifestyle but on the other hand, they are neither forthrightly tackle matters of fundamental importance in the society due to fear of political repercussions. So, productivity is for the servants and not the masters. This requires forthsight in tackling a matter that positively influences production even in the even of political destruction as the nation will benefits from that decision. Because the present administration is not likely to benefit from a particular decision, no one is willing to "bell the cat".

In Jamaica, although people are totally cognizant that efficiency has a multiplier effect on price reduction and that productivity is an important ingredient in cost-saving theorizing, to date, the politicians have been "pussy footing" around. Hence, ?'performance pay for public sector employees' would mean that some politicians may be automatically dismissed from their substantive posts.

Many policymakers in government have failed miserably at the mandate to which they were primarily nominated to execute and so ?'performance pay' is not a welcome phenomenon. Hence, if we are arguing for "performance pay as a must for teachers" and rightfully so, indeed in the context of globalization, why are we not ranting that this be across all sectors? Why?

I have not to date heard anyone ask that Dr. Peter Phillips' salary be reduced by half because of ?'performance pay'. The Minister of National Security is singled out here to represent the politicians but he not is the only one. Let us argue for ?'performance pay', the crime statistics for the month of June 2004 clearly indicate that Honourable Dr. Phillips has failed miserably his mandate and so he should be asked to repay the society one half of his salary for each month that crime is unchecked or adequately addressed.

Once more, I agree wholeheartedly with ?'performance for pay for teachers' but do we agree on equality in duties. Therefore, if we are advocating the construct of ?'performance pay' within the context of value output theorizing, this value theory must begin with the political leaders, because if our statesmen are exempted from such a critical economic theorizing advocated by the leaders themselves, then the issue of crime will not be adequately addressed.

The problem that the Jamaican society faces is lack of equality across the social class, gender and social status. By this I mean, some rules are institutionalized for a particular social class, occupational group, educational cohorts and privileged few as a result justice is not perceived by all the say way. Therefore, I am recommending that "performance pay for politicians" be the first indicator of the government's intention to tackle equality and fairness across the diaspora in Jamaica. Right now, the divide on fundamental issues will continue to split this society into subdivisions unless the public officials adequately create that equality in Jamaica. One that implies, "we are all one and will be treated as such."
Bicknell (2004: G11) posits that "the teaching profession is one of only few professions where there is little monetary reward for excellence, and we will never attract outstanding individuals into the teaching profession until we provide them with some sort of monetary reward for success." If Bicknell's theorizing is true, then is he forwarding a position that politics will not attract the outstanding persons from among us as it is like one such profession, teaching. Notwithstanding Bicknell revelations, I am more convinced that "performance pay for politicians" is a necessary ingredient for upward movement of the society, as I envision a Jamaica in her past glory when she was, in the 1960s, the economic superpower of Latin America and the Caribbean.