Once again I have had the displeasure of having the need to visit a government office only to find that the office was unable to open because the security officer had not yet shown up for work. On this occasion, it was the WASA Customer Service Centre at Kew Place, Port-of-Spain, but I, and no doubt countless others, have also had similar experiences with the Licensing Office and several other similar establishments.
Three of us were waiting outside the Kew Place office at five minutes before eight am on Friday last. By eight am, the number had increased to about seven people as the temperature outdoors began to creep up.No communication was forthcoming from behind the locked, mirrored glass door.
Then, at about three minutes after eight, a young lady from inside pushed the door open to our initial relief, only to close it back behind her without a word to those in line while she sauntered off to buy her breakfast. She returned a few minutes later, breakfast in hand, and re-entered the building without a word of explanation as to the delayed opening to those of us outside. As we continued to wait outside, we mused with each other how typical this experience had become at such offices.
Finally at ten minutes past eight, we thought that relief was forthcoming when the door slid open again. Out came another young lady with an apologetically sheepish look on her face who informed us that they could not open as yet because the security officer had not yet arrived. When asked if they had heard from the officer and had any idea as to when he/she would arrive, the young lady indicated that they had not and escaped to her air-conditioned refuge inside, while we bandits...sorry, customers, stewed further on the sidewalk.
Having no indication as to if or when the office might open, I decided to leave to head back to my office (which as a private institution was already open and operating) to return at another time.
It seems no one in authority is the least bit concerned about the amount of lost productivity that occurs for want of a security guard, or occasionally a cashier, showing up late to work, if at all. Until such time as government offices can move to a cashless environment (if that is even permissible; can the State refuse the coin of the realm?), could those in authority at all government offices that accept cash, or otherwise require security officers, implement a shift system for those key employees, whether outsourced or not?
For example, if the office is open from 8 am to 4 pm, have one security officer be required to start at 7 am and work until 12.30 pm and have another start at 11.30 am and work until 5 pm (assuming there are peopleand cash present beyond 4 pm). Each office should also have a third officer that is on-call (or there could be a pool of reserve officers for government offices in near proximity to each other), who is called out if an officer does not show up by their start time and has not called to say that they will be there shortly.
That way, by the time the office is to open, a security guard should always be present. For security services that are outsourced by the Government to private firm, given their essential role required for the office to function, I hope the amount paid to the security firm is reduced an time an officer is late or does not show up. Lord, put a hand, or send some common sense back to this land.
Vex
Cascade