Business operators in Jamaica’s Corporate Area found themselves grappling with a series of disruptive bomb threats that have struck various institutions in recent days.
In the most recent incident, Kingston Wharves, a prominent port and logistics company, fell victim to the alarming trend on Monday.
The cost impact of the disruption is not yet clear.
Affecting productivity and family life
The repercussions of these bomb threats extend beyond financial losses.
Speaking with Power 106FM, Sydney Thwaites, President of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association, highlighted the adverse effects on productivity.
Thwaites shared that employees had to be granted time off to ensure the safety of their children after schools received threats, causing distractions and anxiety among the workforce.
He further stressed that with the fast-approaching holiday season and businesses already dealing with port-related issues, such disruptions have worsened it.
He also believes that with the ongoing challenges at the ports, the bomb threats could damage the reputation of Jamaica’s shipping ports, making them appear unreliable.
Read more:
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- Man detained for questioning in connection to bomb threats in Jamaica
- Bomb threats disrupt several schools in Jamaica
Small businesses hit hardest
Donovan Wignal, President of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Alliance, pointed out to Power 106FM that small businesses are disproportionately affected by such disruptions.
These enterprises, reliant on Kingston Wharves, struggled to cope with the fallout.
Kingston Wharves operates on an appointment-driven basis, and any delays result in a cascading backlog.
Wignal lamented that it was quite unfortunate, as the missed production from one day had to be pushed forward to the next, causing a ripple effect.
Commendable response amidst the crisis
Despite the challenges, Wignal commended Kingston Wharves’ management for their swift and effective response to the incident.
However, he emphasized the need for additional resources to address the mounting backlog, especially with the peak season just around the corner.
