Cabinet Meeting
Antigua and Barbuda is expected to change the criteria for promotions in its public sector. Specifically, years of service alone will no longer dictate promotions.
Traditionally, long-serving public servants have advanced based primarily on the length of their service rather than on education and other qualifications. However, this approach is likely to shift based on discussions within the Cabinet.
In recent weeks, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has actively sought ways to address inefficiencies in the public sector. They have collaborated with permanent secretaries, department heads, and union representatives.
Maurice Merchant, the Director General of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, shared that these key stakeholders have been brought back for further discussions following previous meetings that focused on improving public sector performance, enhancing worker accountability, fostering positive union relationships, and emphasizing the need for reform and professional development.
During the weekly Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Gaston Browne stressed the importance of maintaining open communication to identify performance challenges and work toward viable solutions.
He reaffirmed the Cabinet’s commitment to initiatives aimed at enhancing Performance and National Competitiveness (PNC), as proposed by department heads.
A significant outcome from these discussions is the shift toward promoting individuals based on their competence and performance rather than solely on their years of service, ensuring that the most qualified individuals can advance effectively.
Furthermore, there will be a realignment of job descriptions to accurately reflect actual responsibilities. Public servants will also receive necessary training in new technologies and essential skills. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for accountability in performance evaluations and encouraged senior public servants to utilize available technologies to improve decision-making and efficiency. To support this initiative, he announced that the government would fund the attendance of Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments at the upcoming AI Annual Research Conference scheduled for June 23 and 24 at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.
Merchant also outlined that these senior officials would participate in a Public Sector Leadership Training Programme at the same institution.
This program aims to integrate content from various proposals with established leadership frameworks, drawing on the Results-Based Management model and the Harvard Core Curriculum on public leadership.
Additionally, the discussions highlighted the necessity for Permanent Secretaries and Senior Officials to deepen their understanding of the Procurement Administration Act and relevant legislation related to their roles. Merchant noted that the discussions were both comprehensive and productive, fostering an in-depth exploration of key challenges and potential solutions.
A specialized team has been appointed to draft a document summarizing the outcomes to ensure effective implementation across government departments. To maintain this momentum, senior officials will be invited to the next Cabinet meeting for further engagement.
Great move by the government. If we want a modern, efficient public service, we need to reward performance and accountability.
I worry that older workers with years of experience will now be overlooked just because they didn’t go to university. I mean I’ve seen this in many places. I know a guy working at a wholesale place for his whole life and and everyone who comes after him has been promoted to cashier n supervisor n manager and all of that and he’s still a porter.
it has its flaws but it has its merits too it could work both ways accordingly
The government is moving in similar direction like the private sector. A lot of our educated people (Human Resources) are leaving the country to seek employment overseas where they can apply their education or put their qualifications into good use for the development of the company that employed them.
This is an issue many people have been having with these long serving public servants who just keeps rising the ladder without training. Some public servants never even took rhe chance for at least go and get trained while working un the public service. I’m happy good job PM
Accountability, qualification, competence and performance are musts if improvement is to take place. Job descriptions, standards, and expectations must be clear and measurable.
Totally agree. I guess they are forgetting the old way of doing things, by promoting who in your corner.
That’s how it should have always been. Some people believe because they there since the first brick lay down that they should automatically be next in Line for promotion.
They don’t do anything to uplift themselves or advance their knowledge yet they get upset when the company passes them up for a promotion and have attitude with whomever is given the job
I see absolutely nothing wrong on being promoted as a result of years spent. If someone is in a position for 15 years why remain in that position until you retire? Experience is sometimes the greatest teacher. Some of those with degrees come in and can’t even perform