WHEN I FIRST HEARD that the Government of Barbados was instituting a programme of public sector reform, I was very impressed. When I discovered that a middle management officer was being appointed to implement this reform, I was equally unimpressed. The ineffectiveness of this project was no surprise.
I thought that a public sector reform czar (someone of the calibre of a Tony Marshall), along with a high-powered committee of respected public and private sector persons, should have been appointed to deal with this project.
I have similar sentiments about this year of productivity programme in the public service.
Several years ago Oliver Jackman, in support of a caller to the Rediffusion call-in programme, indicated that we needed only six ministers of Government. How many do we have today, along with permanent secretaries, and others?
To the salaries add (later) pensions. An unnecessary expensive, high-cost recurrent expenditure.
In addition, how would the successful political parties reward their supporters if they were unable to find employment for them in statutory corporations?
Of course, public sector reform and increased productivity are anathema to the trade unions.
– NICHOLAS HEADLEY