No job cuts

Published in the Jamaica Gleaner: Friday | September 7, 2007

Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

Wayne Jones, president of the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA), has sought to assure its members that major job losses are not expected as the country changes its government in the ensuing days.

Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Jones said a change of government was not synonymous with significant job cuts.

He said the JCSA was more than 100 years old and that, on no occasion, after a general election and a new government is formed, was there a loss of jobs in the civil service.

"The administrations over time have introduced policies which have resulted in a loss of job. But we have no indication, not whilst the new government was campaigning, that they would have embarked upon a cutting of jobs," Jones said.

He noted that even if the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), which will form the next government, contemplates major job cuts within the civil service, no less would be expected than a process of concentration and negotiation within an established framework of social dialogue.

Still, while The Gleaner team roved sections of Kingston yesterday, after the contested elections on Monday, a few civil servants expressed concerns, hoping that tribal politics or a change in policies would not affect the longevity of their jobs.

One woman, who works with Jamaica Urban Transit Company, said a male colleague told her he was more likely to keep his job than her, as he was a 'Labourite'.

Expletives

Using expletives, she said: "If him think sey him a go have a job and I don't, him sorry."

Another woman, who works with The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, said several of her junior level co-workers were concerned that they might be without a job when the JLP officially takes over.

"Of course, people are worried, anything is possible (when another party takes over)," she said.

JLP General Secretary Karl Samuda told The Gleaner yesterday that while he was unaware of any intention to implement a wholesale laying off of persons, a thorough audit of procedures would be conducted.

"As stated in the (JLP) manifesto, in an attempt to reduce bureaucracy, many techniques would be used to cut out unnecessary procedure to apply the appropriate measures," Samuda said.

He added: "This does not necessarily mean a loss of jobs, procedures don't mean cutting of staff."

Samuda also noted that the local government ministry would be strengthened, making it more responsible and more efficient for its own operations.

shelly-ann.thompson@gleanerjm.com