Transformation of public sector could begin in May

The long-proposed public-sector modernisation programme, with the almost inevitable massive job cuts, could begin by next month.

However, there is still no indication as to how many public servants will lose their jobs and there is no provision in the Estimates of Expenditure for this fiscal year to make the redundancy payments.

Yesterday, Daryl Vaz, the minister with responsibility for information, told journalists that Cabinet has almost signed off on the way forward and is ready to move based on the recommendations of the Patricia Sinclair McCalla led Public Sector Transformation Unit (PSTU).

"It is still a work in progress and Cabinet has signalled its intention to accept the majority of the recommendations after a careful review was done of proposed changes ...," Vaz said as he provided an update out of a recent special session of the Cabinet.

"There still remains some areas requiring extensive discussions before a final sign-off is given and the Cabinet will address those shortly," added Vaz.

change in progress

He said various activities in preparation for the implementation are now in progress.

"I think that where we are now, it is just a few issues that remain 'square bracketed' and those are to be addressed and decisions taken," Vaz said.

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen used the Throne Speech last week to signal the Government's intention to fast-track the public-sector reform.

The PSTU had crafted proposals on how to transform the public sector following extensive consultation with various groups, including unions representing civil servants.

According to the PSTU, the Government should scale down or close almost 60 state entities.

It has recommended that seven state entities be abolished, 16 privatised, 26 merged and the services of 10 be contracted out.

But Sinclair McCalla, dubbed cutter-in-chief, has repeatedly refused to say just how many people will be sent home.

"I think we need to shift our thinking from just the number of job to be lost," she said.

"What we need to focus on is how do we increase productivity and while everybody is concerned about how many will transition out of the public sector, we are working ... to develop a mechanism on how to increase productivity," Sinclair McCalla told journalists last year.