Bring back the merit increment in the public service- official

Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 September 2015, 16:38 by GxMedia

As the Public Service Commission of Inquiry (CoI) convened for a second day of testimonies, a call was made for the Guyana Government to properly implement the performance appraisal system for public servants – this would be with the merit increment.

The call came from Senior Public Service Officer in Department of Public Service at the Ministry of the Presidency, Gail Williams.

According to Williams, at the state of affairs at present see an appraisal system, but the merit component is absent.

With the absence of this component, public servants receive the same pay increases regardless of whether their performance was poor or they excelled at their jobs.

It was reasoned that the implementation of such a component would be a major motivational factor for public servants to work in an acceptable manner.

Williams made it clear that the government was responsible for the situation, hence duly authorized to implement any changes necessary.

The Public Servant also pointed to the need for a reintroduction of the collective bargaining process.

Meanwhile, under questioning from the Commissioners, Human Resource Management Consultant for the Department of Public Service Department Kemo Benjamin stated that there was need for a reform of the public service rules.

The Consultant told the commissioners that at present, some of the rules and regulations are too rigid and do not allow for any flexibility especially in the Human Resource department.

One of the rules he spotlighted for review was that of the retirement age. Benjamin stated that some persons are both physically and mentally able to work and should be.

Also coming out of the Inquiry, Assistant Development Coordinator Ryan Cumberbatch revealed that the Public Service is running on ‘hacked and cracked’ software. He explained that in previous fiscal budgets provisions were not made for the purchase of authentic software.

He explained that the government is presently using computers that are more than nine years old.