Harsh economic conditions and thousands of job cuts islandwide are forcing employees to invest heavily in obeah.

Investigation by THE WEEKEND STAR has revealed that many workers are forking out their last shilling in an effort to 'secure' their jobs by purchasing black magic baths, sprays and lotions.

These items come in a package and cost just about $3,000.

Acting under the guise of a worried employee at risk of losing his job, THE WEEKEND STAR contacted a popular drug store in downtown Kingston and asked about availability of any 'oil of luck'.

"Wi have all kind a oil, man," the sales representative said.

Brown liquid

However, upon asking if there were any 'special' oils which could help in saving a job, THE WEEKEND STAR was urged to visit the store as such discussions could not be held over the phone.

With that said, we headed for the store and was directed to a sales representative who quickly gathered three items, a small bottle of 'Steady Work' lotion, a 'Spirit Of Good Luck' spray and another bottle containing a brown liquid.

She then noted that the items should be used in c****ination and gave the directions for use.

The brown liquid is to be used as a bath aid before using the spray and the lotion.

But the instructions were not done, "Read Psalms 77 wid it to," the sales representative added.

The investigation would mean nothing if we had not questioned her on the frequency of such sales.

"Yea man, whole heap a people a buy dem, whole heap," she replied when asked.

As she walked away, she was also overheard saying, "Di work tink a gwaan really bad though."

Inquisitive customer

While leaving the store, one seemingly inquisitive customer asked us the reason for the purchase of the items. "Look here a di ting dem fi help save work yu buy don't?" an elderly woman questioned.

After a brief conversation during which she questioned the 'power' of the items, she spoke of her plans to buy the package for her granddaughter.

"Mi nuh too sure bout dem ting ya eno, but mi ago get a likkle change and buy dem fi mi grand pickney cause she inna one good work and mi nuh waa she lose it, suh mi willing fi try anything fi help," she said with a smile on her face.

Western end

When THE WEEKEND STAR spoke to Dr King, a popular 'bush doctor' from Malcolm Heights, Hanover, he said that countless people on the island's western end were forking out money to save their job as well.

"Memba dat mi on de north coast so a nuff hotel worker come check mi fi a bath fi keep dem work," he said. "Mi jus mek dem get de tings like 'Compliance Oil', 'Commanding Oil', 'Must Oil' and so on, then mi add my stuff and mix and consecrate dem then gi dem di bath."

Dr King claimed that other workers, including hospital employees and a few members of the police force, have visited his 'office' and were willing to take the bath.

He said that the overall cost for bath could run from $3,000 up, a fee that clients willingly paid in order to save their jobs in these days when redundancies are so frequent.

With that said, we headed for the store and was directed to a sales representative who quickly gathered three items, a small bottle of 'Steady Work' lotion, a 'Spirit Of Good Luck' spray and another bottle containing a brown liquid.

She then noted that the items should be used in

c****ination and gave the directions for use.