The Editor, Sir:

It is about time the Government and the ministry of finance give serious consideration to enact the necessary legislation to cease statutory deductions from Sunday and public holiday earnings.

Currently, unionised employees in most if not all industries are paid at double time their normal rate of pay for work done on Sundays and public holidays; this is done as a sort of incentive to get production and productivity going otherwise most employees would stay home.

A day of rest and worship

Sunday is regarded by most Jamaicans as a day of rest and worship for Christians and non-Christians. Public holidays are generally remembered to celebrate events of the past, biblical or otherwise.

The granting of this request can be reflected in the 2009/2010 budget for the next financial year. This would ease some of the financial burden now being carried by the ordinary working class employees, especially those of us in the sugar industry.

I am, etc.,

ROBERT GRANT

Townhead District

Westmoreland