This is nothing short of a backwards people refusing to advance. The rest of the developed world is using biometrics for positive ID and to grant access to controlled or secured areas, not to mention its application in solving crime. These same people who are concerned about their "identity" are not concerned when they have to provide fingerprints and iris scan for entry into western countries.

Technology at work.

I think that all ministries should implement this system to control absenteeism in the workplace.

Many civil servants don't even work a full day and some just don't show up at all and expect to be paid, while they hide behind the trade unions.

This is one instance where I think that taxpayers' money was well spent by Minister Gary Hunt.

http://dsaltsman.blogspot.com/

Dey brakesing over breaks

Let's get right to it, some workers vex cause they put in a cyar fool them anymore system. They don't care where they put their finger when they ready, USA finger does work when they travel. They have a finger for everything but you see that work finger, it shy.

Ah mean, I was here all the time since .., what ! like you don't believe me. Look just ask meh pardner dey, he go tell you, he bound to know, cause he sign in for me as meh hands was full when ah reach yes. Right family.

This biometric system is multifunctional monitoring time and person. Nothing new here, only now staff are more aware that taking cigarette breaks, coming to work late break, buss it to check out lady friend break, extra long lunch break and not turning up to work break will be on a monitoring system.

For some, work does interfere with their breaks.

What will happen when they put a finger scan to enable them to log on to their computer cause passwords still sharing?

Time for them to get their work finger out and put it on the button.

The reason the staff object to have their finger print scanned is they are up to no good. There is absolutely no infringement in the human rights or any other rights they can think of to object to using the scanner. It is Trini tradition to object to anything and everything. The finger print scanner will stop them cheating by coming in late, leaving work early or taking days off. With the scanner you have to be at work in person, with other methods you can cheat and / or your colleagues will help you cheat. This type of scanner should be written in to every government employees contracts, they don't agree then no job. We are plagued with poor service in government departments, the staff arrive late, leave early. These machines are absolutely necessary and should be installed in all government offices immediately.

This is a good example of the ignorance of the people of this country. This is a good example of the impedement that the authorities face with the fight against crime. Does your "ID" card not infringe on your privacy? A finger print at the work place that will protect you from intruders is an infringement, and the good unions are behind this folly.

"Print do not match you cannot get in". Do not complain when you get heldup in the office next time. Simpleton

No, progress is not for this place we do not want it and if you dislike who is introducing it that makes it all the more justifiable. Who will change the idiotic mindset of my people and how long will it take.
On the other hand there might be some wanted persons up ther who do not have their finger print taken.

Sledgehammer to crack walnut?

'The jury is still out' on this one for me.

Yes, I can understand the rational for being fingerprinted or for IRIS recognition as part of SECURITY. Whilst it may not 'exactly' be an "infringement of personal identity", I do have problems with having to give finger prints to confirm whether 'clocked in' or out'.

Places I have worked in the past all used the swipe cards AND we also had to show the card to a member of the security team on entering so that they could see the photo matched the face - and it was not someone randomly finding the card or 'lending' the card for someone to swipe in and out. Additionally, the card was needed to exit the building - no turnstiles. Perhaps it may be that the places I have been expected staff to be responsible and reliable?

However, it boggles my mind that it is only NOW that the news is getting to Minister Hunt that the staff are unhappy with the proposed new system? This suggests (once again) somehow, somewhere, that money has been spent and the 'solution' provided as a fait accompli...?

I would very much like to give Minister Hunt the benefit of the doubt, but with this coming so fast on the heels of the TT$2 million (and counting) flag and all the various incomplete sports stadia, out of curiosity, I would like to know how much this technology/system cost, who the suppliers are and what procurement or tendering process was used.

La Diva

The smarter the journalists are, the better off society is. For to a degree, people read the press to inform themselves-and the better the teacher, the better the student body. Warren Buffet

Wait nah man, the Ministry put this thing on hold? I can't believe this. After they do all the research, spend a ton of money on new technology, implement it, the workers veto the thing? Tail wagging the dog again?

THERE IS A PROCEDURED -

There is a procedure to be followed when implement change in a unionised organization. The union was not against the change but the lack of full disclosure and consultation. In fact initially they agreed to one thing but were presented with something else.

Yeah man, no more running away unless yuh leaving yuh thumb wid yuh padna to scan in fuh yuh!!!

Jumbie's Watch

This is not border control this the ministry of sport. What happened to the time when there was a receptionist who (mostly) knew by sight all legitimate employees. You still have to deal visitors. If you wnat to got high-tech you could use RFID.

Come on people and get with the times.. The increased security is for YOUR OWN protection and safety. Canada has very stringent privacy laws and this form of biometric is commonly used for entry into secure areas.

Furthermore, the system does not store a person's actual fingerprint. It uses a mathematical algorithm, which may vary depending on the manufacturer, and stores certain properties which are unique to the individual's thumb. In other words, the data which is stored by the biometric reader cannot be used for any other purpose than to open the door lock and to record the time of entry.

Yes all true comments.

De slackers realize no more free time to go to the rum shop and skylark. I worked on the port before and boi, talk about some rum heads during working hours. I am sure thats any gov't job in trini. Then they go say we striking for better wages. Trini's have it made. No snow, no creditors, wok when you want and some of them have over 200 days of vacation leave to take at once. I wouldn't want my finger to tell them when I am late either If it was for drinks in the bar, I would do my finger, eye and big toe to drink on a lunch time. Sad to say, progress doesnt exsist in tnt. Trini timing is de best timing, two hrs late.

"Infringes on people's identity"

That is the most rediculous argument i've ever heard. I can't believe that the ministry decided to put the project on hold because of this. By implementing this new system, they (the ministry) is not using or accquiring any information that they don't already have on file for employees. This is nothing more that what was described so many times in previous comments - workers fighting to keep the convenience of being able to lie about being at work when they're actually not. These folks are fortunate that they work for such a lax employer in other developed nations they would have already been asked to resign because they pose security risk to the organization and don't share the same values of the ministry

We are living in different times and you can't put a price on "national security" maybe "national pride". I am all for increased and enhanced security.

But coming after the "priceless national pride flag", I have to ask myself who got the contract and how much it cost.

I would have expected to see places like the Ministries of National Security and Foreign Affairs, the Palace, Central Bank and other sensitive departments having priority and being supplied with this kind of hi-tech kind of equipment, but Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs? What do they have to protect and secure? Gary Hunt and his secrets about the $2 million flag? All those free tickets he collects?

WE COULD BE OVER ANALYSING -

It could be just Hunte trying to show off that he is high tech state of the art without consideration as to applicability. But isn't that why we build an academy of the arts when we need a performing arena. We break down the Grand Stand and have no stage to properly display carnival.