There is a strong perception that workers employed with the government or with one of its entities do not work as hard as others employed in the private sector.
It may be true if one sees, for example, how long it takes for something to be done if the work is being carried out by the central government with its own workers. Delays in government departments are not a rarity either, as bureaucratic procedures often stall the process, meaning that something that could be done in 10 minutes takes a whole day. It is also not a good thing to see a group of government workers on a job, with one doing his task as the others have their coffee and talk about politics or football.
New systems that have been introduced and advancement in technology have helped to improve the situation, although things can still get better. There is always something that can be improved and something new that can be learnt.
Naturally, one can only speak in general terms, as there are many government workers who carry out sterling work and do their daily job diligently, efficiently and responsibly every day. Just as much as there are many workers in the private sector who do not give their full eight hours a day and spend most of their time looking at the watch waiting for the end of their working day.
What is important, in each and every workplace and whatever job one has, is that all workers give their best. What is equally vital is that they do so with commitment and enthusiasm. Taking initiatives and coming up with ideas are also essential components of how a worker’s day at work should be.
It was therefore so encouraging to hear that Enemalta Corporation saved some Lm50,000 after a group of employees built two new switchboards from scratch. The panels, which were cast and cut at Malta Shipyards, will control two boilers electronically instead of the old pneumatic system.
If the corporation had bought the switchboards itself from overseas companies, it would have spent some Lm130,000. By doing the work themselves – on their initiative – the workers saved Lm50,000 for the company.
They should be commended for their dedication and commitment towards the company that employs them, and Industry, Investments and IT Minister Austin Gatt was right to suggest that part of the expenses saved by the company should be divided among the workers themselves.
In this way, the corporation would be showing financial appreciation – apart from verbal gratitude – to the workers involved. At the same time, it would be indirectly encouraging others to follow suit.
But what happened at Enemalta should not only serve to spur other corporation workers to come up with similar ideas. It should be an example to all workers employed in all companies – government and private – to be pro-active in their work.
Many employees will argue that doing a day’s work is enough and, after all, this is what they are being paid for, no more, no less. But, on the other hand, taking initiatives makes work more stimulating and, at the end of the day, gives more satisfaction.
Workers often look at their working day as just eight hours or so that need to pass. They seek better conditions of work and a better pay-packet, some through their unions and others on an individual basis.
But they would be making their life much easier and perhaps less boring if they consider work as a challenge, and set targets for themselves. Reaching targets is just like passing an examination, and we all remember how good it felt at school when good results were obtained.