JASTECA help to enhance private sector productivity

Ramani  Kangaraarachchi

The Government has set up a new ministry to improve productivity of the country after observing waste of valuable human resource of the country.

The new minister Lakshman Seneviratna has commenced discussions with Japan Sri Lanka Cultural Association (JASTECA) President Mahinda Saranapala and many other professionals involved in enhancing productivity to workout a plan to minimize human resource wastage and maximize productivity in all sectors to develop country's economy.

Saranapala said JASTECA in Sri Lanka is recognized by the Government and the private sector for the significant contribution made towards human resources development and transfer of appropriate Japanese technology and management systems to Sri Lanka.

He said the support received from Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) Japan over the years have been a source of immense strength and to provide Japanese technology and managerial skills to Sri Lankan people. The Japanese 5S system is a proven tool and this is the time to educate everyone on that to improve productivity.

Out of 20 million total population 4.2 million are schooling and 7 million are a working population. Six million work for the private sector and one million in the public sector. According to a survey the public sector productivity level is very low.

When you calculate the wastage of total manpower in the country per person per annum on an average basis the country loses around Rs 15,000 and the loss of manpower comes to Rs 105 million, he said.

This is due to inefficiency, lethargy, lack of system, and discipline, tardiness, disorganized workplaces.

However, the Japanese 5S system focuses on effective workplace organization and standardized work procedures and simplifies work. It gives many benefits to any organization. It eliminates time wasted looking for things, helps to get maximum from resources, utilizes land and space to the maximum, gives maximum from every unit of energy, minimize waste and save money.

Elaborating on the benefits Saranapala said the 5S system creates a total quality working environment while improving worker morale leading to lower absenteeism and improving management worker interaction. As a result it will improve quality of products and services reduce cost of production or services, minimize accidents, on time delivery of products and services make possible, thereby corporate objectives productivity and profitability will be met.

"Finally it will leave lasting impressions on customers and society. Therefore this system should be implemented covering all sectors islandwide," he said.

Saranapala elaborated on nine attributes required to achieve success from 5Ss namely leadership, commitment, involvement, ownership, passionate positive attitude ,knowledge, people's participation, and tapping the power of people.

Over the last 15 years JASTECA has conducted the annual 5S competition and 550 companies from the Public and Private sector participated. These companies have shown encouraging results.

Ninety five companies participated in the 2010 competition. The first round audits were completed on schedule. The final round audits will commence from March 04, 2011.

A Japanese expert. Prof Fujita has arrived in Sri Lanka and he will be the Lead Auditor during the final round audits. The Taiki Akimoto 5S competition is the most important activity in JASTECA calander.

The Awards ceremony will be held on March 18, 2011 and all the best performing companies will be given awards in various categories.The overall winner will receive the Gold Award and there will be several sector awards too.