Political Scientist: PM Wants More Efficient Public Sector
Political Scientist Dr Maukesh Basdeo says Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s statement on eliminating « swine culture » in the public sector is a push towards creating a more efficient and effective State sector.
Responding to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s statement that the Government will not reward the « swine culture of laziness, schemes, negative attitudes and dishonest behaviour », he said this must be taken in context.
« It’s important in this context of how I see the Prime Minister’s statement, it is driving the issue of efficiency and effectiveness when it comes to the State sector and its employees. »
He noted that the term « swine culture » was originally coined by the late Dr Morgan Job.
« The Prime Minister, in bringing forth this statement and using the words of Dr Job, is clearly addressing the concern of efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector. It is something that I think what she is really, the point she is driving at is that the citizens expect value for money. »
The Political Scientist linked the Prime Minister’s statement to the issue of outstanding wage settlements for State sector employees.
« How do you justify the wage increase to the public sector workers? That 10% wage increase, it comes with what we call, citizens will be looking and to say well we need to get a better civil service. It’s only natural that there is a connection between productivity and value for money. So you tend to find it in the context, and there were other instances that the Prime Minister would have made statements. I recall in referencing the Municipal Corporations she used similar terms. »
Describing the Prime Minister’s push for a more efficient, accountable and economically sustainable State sector as a citizen-centred approach, Dr Basdeo emphasised that public servants play a critical role in ensuring the State achieves its objectives and delivers quality services to the population.
« State employees, public servants must be responsive to the needs of a population that is growing. And the only way that you can move forward is because the State sector is the tool, becomes the machinery through which Executive policies are implemented. And there have been many policies that we can see in the last sixteen months that this administration would have had. »
