Protocol breach? Flagless poles seen at gov't ministries, agencies

It appears that a number of government ministries and departments have refused to observe protocol by failing to fly the national flag.

The Gleaner has been visiting a number of ministries and public bodies since last week and and observed several poles without the national flag.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), through the Protocol Department and Chancery, the national flag should normally be flown at all government and municipal offices and establishments, on or near the main administrative building, between 8 a.m. and sundown only, but may be flown for 24 hours if illuminated in darkness.

A protocol officer at the OPM told The Gleaner yesterday that the permanent secretaries and ministers are responsible for ensuring that the national flag is flown at their ministries.

The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service had a flagless pole when The Gleaner visited its offices twice in two weeks.

At the Ministry of Labour's East Street offices, three poles stand tall without flags, while its main office at National Heroes' Circle had a pole, but the Jamaican flag was missing.

At the same time, Jamaica's Court of Appeal Public Building West was bereft of the national flag despite three poles erected on top of the building.

Jamaica's premier government research agency, the Scientific Research Council, has seemingly paid scant regard to the hoisting of the national flag, with a flagless pole observed at its offices on two separate occasions.