JAMAICA'S EMPLOYERS are unlikely to make any adjustments to accommodate the upcoming general election, according to a Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF)/CBS pre-election survey.

Eleven of 14 organisations surveyed at the start of September stated that they will not make changes for the election season, despite results from the survey showing that six of the organisations have experienced expressions of safety concern from employees.

Those six ­ Shell, Caribbean Cement Company, Juici Patties, Manpower and Maintenance Services, Guardsman and 925-JERK ­ also include one (Guardsman) which has had operations managers refuse to visit volatile communities at election time.

The City of Kingston Co-operative Credit Union and National Water Commission also have field officers refusing to visit such communities.

However, the majority of the organisations are reportedly experiencing little disruption in the run-up to the elections, according to the survey, with production rates remaining consistent and attendance rates seemingly unaffected. None of the organisations reported any noticeable problems in the workplace caused by political differences.

'NOTHING ALARMING'

JEF president, Herbert Lewis, told The Gleaner Thursday that the survey showed "nothing alarming at this time" and noted that the JEF was "using the survey as a base guide to do another survey," once "the elections are announced." Mr. Lewis stated that there was a possibility that opinions would change once a fixed date for the election is announced.

"We are recommending to our membership that they consider operating in a flexible manner in order to facilitate their employees," he said. "The employees are the people who will be affected to a very large extent."