CABINET NOTES: Cabinet invited Permanent Secretaries, Union Representatives within the Public Service, the Financial Secretary, the Solicitor General and other senior officials to its meeting to address public sector service inefficiencies, worker accountability, union relations, and efforts to reform and professionalize the public sector in Antigua and Barbuda.
The meeting, which was an introduction towards the production of an outcome document on Performance Improvement was addressed by Prime Minister Gaston Browne with other members expressing their views on the matter.
Prime Minister highlighted the issue of chronic inefficiencies and abuse to include widespread absenteeism and abuse of sick/leave days and senior officials being hesitant to discipline workers due to fear of perceived political backlash or perceived protection of staff.
On the issue of accountability and discipline, the Prime Minister outlined that while Ministers and not civil servants have ultimate control over ministry decisions as per the Constitution, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments must hold staff accountable and take disciplinary action where necessary.
In addressing the union representatives, Prime Minister encouraged dialogue with unions and pointed out that Government is open to discussions and has a track record of addressing union concerns reasonably.
The Prime Minister said that there is the need to develop a culture of optimal performance and responsibility, emphasizing the need for professionalism regardless of political affiliations. Prime Minister acknowledged that there are committed public servants, but systemic issues remain in the service.
In addressing the need for reform and upskilling, the Prime Minister announced the collaboration between the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus and Harvard University in the development of modules for public management training for senior officials, which will be mandatory. He emphasized the need for upskilling, reskilling and staying current with knowledge for better service delivery in the sector, stating that promotions may require completion of this programme.
While appealing to the senior public sector officials and department heads to step up leadership, improve internal communication, and ensure efficient execution of government policies, Prime Minister reiterated the government’s vision of transforming Antigua and Barbuda into and economic powerhouse and outlined the critical need for an alignment of public service delivery with national development goals.
The Permanent Secretaries and other senior officials will be invited to Cabinet next week for a continuation of the engagement. They are expected to address their challenges and provide suggestions for the improvement of the sector.
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Just look at the faces of the civil servants. They tell you everything you need to know.
The government want more out of workers than they’re already getting,don’t they see that cost of living is so high and we’re still working for peanut change in 2025…….He and his men them in parliament isn’t doing nothing for this country or the citizens but just rob the tax dollars from wherever they can get it or collect it……………Antigua doesn’t look any different from 20yrs back,check st.johns city…………It is so shameful
The first order to get more..
PAY WHAT YOU OWE… ALL THE OVERTIME AND BACK PAY…. That’s a great place to begin
Way to go Prime minister, some of them figure because they are in the publicservice for years they think that they are entitled. They do need to upgrade their skills there are modern technologies .Stop lving in the old world ,they are there for years and the work is still lagging. Give the younger ones a chance
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Ministers need training too….they are not experts in every field. They too need to know what the law is. After all no one is above the law, not the Prime Minister, not the Cabinet. We all must be accountable.
I welcome such a move and encourage that it be continued. For too long we have encouraged and accepted substandard performance right across the public sector as if this if how government suppose to work. Accountability has never been a hallmark of those in the public sector and many of them finds it difficult to adjust to the private sector demands if they ever transition to that sector. The blame must be squarely put on managers, supervisors and Permanent Secretaries who must now step up and demand better performance and output from those under their supervision.
Fuh dem dey face look misarabble NF
Well said Mr.Prime Minister, education is the key