Gareth Manning, Staff Reporter

Left: Audrey Hinchcliffe, president of the Jamaica Employers Federation. Right: Shirley Pryce, president of the Jamaica Household Workers' Association - File

Increasing attacks on Jamaica's women are driving down productivity in some sectors that depend heavily on female labour.

One of the country's leading janitorial service providers, Manpower and Maintenance Services Limited, is reporting that it has been hit by a rise in absenteeism and a decline in staff morale. About 85 per cent of its workforce is female.

The murder of women has soared by 30 per cent during January to September, compared to the same period last year, the police have said. There were also 89 more reports of rape during September.

"The women can't leave early mornings because they are afraid," said Audrey Hinchcliffe, Manpower's chief executive officer (CEO).

"Because of disturbance in their communities, they are not coming out to work. They are leaving work early, they are not finishing their shifts, particularly in the evening, because they have to get off the road to go home," she added.

She said that the company had also provided counselling to staffers, who were buckling under stress.

"They are not getting enough rest because they either have to be setting up to be running or hiding in bathtubs on top of their children, so they are exhausted mentally and physically," Hinchcliffe explained.

The Manpower chief exec said the added stress has caused negative spin-offs such as increased irritability and an increase in worker conflicts.

Ensuring employee's safety

Hinchcliffe said the company's transportation and security costs have also jumped significantly, as the company has increased those services to ensure its staff gets home safely.

The company said the security crisis has taken a toll on its transportation costs, which have jumped more than 33 per cent.

In 2007, about $2.7 million was spent on transportation. The company has already spent $3.7 million. Security, similarly, has seen an increase in expenditure from $2.3 million last year to $3.8 million this year as the company has been forced to hire security personnel to accompany vehicles transporting workers home.

The wholesale and retail sector is similarly being affected by increased transportation costs, especially since the recent abduction and murder of a pharmacist employed to MegaMart, an all-in-one supermarket and department store in St Andrew. Her charred remains were found in bushes in Chancery Hall, St. Andrew, three weeks ago.

"We have to make arrangements to get people home safely," said Wayne Chen, CEO of Super Plus Food Stores, an islandwide supermarket chain.

"We have had to say to the driver, ensure that you see the young lady turn the key into her door and get inside before you drive away and leave her," said Chen.

The transportation bill is expected to increase further as the Christmas season approaches and stores extend their opening hours.

Household helpers are being similarly affected, president of the Jamaica Household Workers' Association, Shirley Pryce, told The Gleaner.

Costing a lot to protect

She said many of her association's members have been forking out more money to transport themselves and their children safely to school and work. Some helpers have also cut their work schedules to get off the streets before nightfall.

"Normally, the boss sometimes would ask the helper to stay a little late but nowadays they are refusing. They are rushing home to get off the street and to protect their children, who may be at home alone," she said.

"It is really frightening. Women are afraid and we just need to pray for our beloved country," she added.

gareth.manning@gleanerjm.com