Time for a change

Peru's Government has launched a campaign to combat the chronic lateness that pervades its society.

At noon (local time) Peruvians were urged to synchronise their watches to sirens and church bells and launch a new era of punctuality.

The concept of punctuality is so elastic in Latin America that they even have a different name for it - English time.

But in Peru, President Alan Garcia's Government has decided it is time for an attitude change.

The "Time Without Delay" campaign is challenging the tardiness culture by equating lateness with disrespect for others.

One poll says 91 per cent of residents in the capital, Lima, support the initiative.

The campaign does not include any sanctions or rewards, but the Government expects a new culture of punctuality to take root by July.