Transport Minister Mike Henry has expressed shock at the level of absenteeism among some categories of workers at the state-run Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC).

Data on absenteeism in a recent report from the company's management indicated 1,022 'no-show' days (absence without leave) among drivers and conductors for the two-month period January to February 2008.

"It is shocking and disturbing to note the number of workdays being lost by the bus company and we certainly will be doing something about it as a matter of priority, as this impacts very negatively on the operational efficiency of the company, which we are seeking to get out of the red," said the minister in a meeting with the company's management last week.

This revelation comes against the projection by the Government that the company will lose $1.1 billion for the year. The company lost $1.2 billion for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

Over the same period, 2,351 sick days were recorded between the two categories of workers, making a total of 3,373 lost days among the two groups.