THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE DEATH of Douglas Chambers brought back memories to one who has been there, at least close enough. During the late 1970s and early '80s, we had a phenomenon in Jamaica. It was commonplace where workers who were dissatisfied with the management style of an individual, would elect to administer their version of a just flogging to such an individual.

Being employed to a utility company in the early '80s, I managed to escape the fate of Douglas Chambers only by employing survival tactics. Mr Chambers' situation was no different from mine. Situations where corruption would be the order of the day: Supervisors, union delegates and line staff were all intrinsically woven into the corrupt practices.

My job was to clean the 'Aegean Stables'. I was told in no uncertain terms, "Leave on your own two feet or be carried out in a body bag." I overstayed my welcome and one day I was physically removed from my office by about five men. Destination: "Mek we trow im dung stairs pon de concrete." As mentioned above, by sheer instinct, I survived and subsequently succeeded in cleaning the 'stables'.

This type of behaviour has been with us for a long time. It is a normal human-behaviour endemic with situations where a person or group is benefiting from nefarious practices. Anyone who attempts to change the status quo is at risk. It has been 24 years between my episode and Mr Chambers' death. The manager-flogging phenomenon has awakened from hibernation.

I am, etc.,

OWEN CLARKE

Indquip@yahoo.com