Well it's that time of year again when local business will be inundated by agencies, departments, ministries and corporations of the government for requests to donate to their Christmas parties like this request from the Public Hospitals Authority.
As soon as we received their fax request we called them to advise that we were highly insulted that they would send a request to already over burdened tax payers for them to have a party!
The Managing Director was not available so I left a message for him with his secretary.
The coordinator of the programme did call back to apologise if they offended me, and I give them credit for that.
However, the deeper issue is some business people will feel obligated to donate as they think that might help them get business from a particular government department or "special favours" if they need a permit or the like.
Bear in mind these are services that the government is supposed to provide statutorily, to one and all that require them.
Furthermore, private sector businesses, in the main, provide parties for their staff etc out of pocket. When I worked in the bank each employee contributed $1 per week for things like this.
Being the persistent bugger (some use other adjectives I'm sure) that I am, I sent an e-mail to one of the Cabinet Ministers of The Bahamas.
It reads:
I'm sorry to bother you with this, and I really don't want to appear rude, but I think it's high time that the Cabinet dealt with departments, agencies, ministries and corporations sending out requests for donations for their Christmas parties.
Attached is one received today from the Public Hospitals Authority that is simply outrageous in my not so humble opinion.
Maybe Mr. Ingraham should prepare a "Declaration" that from henceforth there will be no more of this by any government department, agency, ministry or corporation.
This is only the first request of many we will receive. Would you like me to forward copies of each of them to you?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Should I receive a response I'll let you know.
