05/12/2013
Emerging economies strike off standard work hours
Mauritius still blushing uncertainty
The myth of bigger is better is getting obsolete with relatively small size countries turning into powerful economies. Today the race is about discernment, discipline and determination and going for the dare. After a lot of fuss and fury about 24/7, Mauritius is still limping the race of round- the -clock economies. Have we run out of ideas? Do we close our eyes to the wherewithal?
By Tasleemah Joomun
Mauritius innovates or copy âpastes but at least for goodnessâ sake it has to act. This is what the general feeling is amongst professionals. Some stakeholders in the business scenery believe a full fledge 24/7 economy could make a major turning point while others question its viability in a small island country with people still used to the 9-5 work mentality. But hopefully some of us will have a peek at some potentially inspiring economies.
Dubai's economy, initially built on revenues from the oil industry, went for the dare, despite of its size and extremely hot climate, to be a reference in tourism industry, real estate, habour and airlines. The Singaporean economy is known as one of the freest and most innovative. New Zealand is on Grant Thorntonâs 2013 Global Dynamism Index (GDI) on the list of most dynamic business climate. Australia has a lot to offer potential investors: twenty two years of unbroken economic growth; strong institutions; a skilled, productive labor force and a strong culture of investment in research and development.
The demand from the Mauritian population for professional life, entertainment, leisure and social activities is there. The means for such a high wired economy are already taking shape, with the improved sectors, security, stability, road network facilities, investor-friendly policies, educated and trained workforce.
Director Human Resource Development Council says that Mauritius is still struggling to meet the target. â The 9 am to 4 pm syndrome is well known and was a serious threat for the labour market. Call centres and BPO units were finding it increasingly difficult to recruit workers who could work during the so called unsocial hours. People trained for such sectors preferred to take up employment in other sectors which operated on a 9 am to 4 pm basis. Firms had to rely increasingly on foreign labour for night shifts while the country had a high unemployment rate,â he explains.
Note:
Two-fifths of all employed Americans work mostly during evenings, nights, weekends, or on rotating shifts outside the traditional 9-to-5 work day. "The United States is moving steadily toward a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week economy," said Harriet B. Presser, professor of sociology and director of the Center on Population, Gender and Social Inequality at the University of Maryland in College Park. The round-the-clock economy is characterised by the adoption of alternative work practices such as flexi time and flexi schedule, shift system, compressed work week (working four 10-hour days per week), work from home, telecommuting etc.
Wild but balanced. Passionate but sane. Hard working but chill. Achieving yet humbled.
