On Sunday July 26, I was in the outgoing area of the Immigration section at the Sangster International Airport. It was about 10:30 a.m. and some 20 passengers were in the queue ahead of me and more passengers were coming into the hall.

I noticed signs posted around the hall stating, 'The use of cellphones is strictly prohibited'. The place was getting crowded and I saw an officer casually leaning on a column, with his legs crossed at the ankles, one hand in his pocket and the other holding a cellphone to his ear. He carried on this phone conversation for almost seven minutes while passengers waited in line to be processed.

After the queue was cleared I approached the officer and asked him what would be his impression if one of the persons whom he had employed held up the production line and caused a backlog because of absence from his designated post and when he found him he was idly chatting on his cellphone?

The young man said he did not know what I am talking about. When I further enlightened him as to what he did, he chased me away in the most derogatory manner and dared me to inform his superior. Obviously, this man has no regard for Jamaican taxpayers who pay him, his colleagues or those who are set above him.

Disrespect

I am a senior civil servant who pays $316,092 in PAYE annually. I do not think I or any other Jamaican taxpayer or government agency should have to suffer any more disrespect from this immigration officer. This leads one to question the controls that the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) has in place for its staff members. Obviously this officer believes that there is none in place. CEO and directors of PICA, please take corrective action before it worsens.

I am, etc.,

CONCERNED TAXPAYER

Montego Bay