Letang says the public service is under ‘serious threat’

General Secretary of the Public Service Union (DPSU) Thomas has raised concerns as it relates to the modern-day challenges that the union continues to face.

Letang, who was addressing the 12th Biennial Delegates Conference of the DPSU on Thursday argues that in the arena of public service employment, there are ongoing difficulties to be addressed.

“We cannot deny the fact, especially those who are a bit older, that the public service is under serious threats,” he said. “The system has been politicized and this is evident in a number of areas.”

According to him, firstly, the recommendations being made for acting permanent employment is being politicized.

“In the recommendations being made for acting permanent employment–that is being politicized.”

Along those lines, Letang believes the practice of breaking acting appointments of public officers in order to have them replaced by, “less qualified, less knowledgeable and less experienced officers is something that we have to look at.”

“And if that is not politicizing the public service, then I leave it up to you to tell me what it is,” he stated.

Furthermore, Letang pointed out the problematic nature of prolonged acting appointments for public servants.

“Prolong acting appointments in vacant positions, without those people being appointed,” he remarked, adding that this issue must be seriously examined.

Letang also made it clear that the union is not a branch of any political party.

In fact, he said the union highlights issues and also opposes when necessary .

“At the end of the day you as a citizen of the country, you vote for whoever you want,” he said. But we are not going to say that the union endorses any political party.”

He continued, “People have criticized me for being part of political parties, but I stand on principles and in defense of the rights of the people who we represent.”

Finally, Letang pointed out that there are situations where individuals do not know their rights.

“I have seen people being terminated and they do not know that certain people do not have the right to terminate their employment,” he explained.

Meanwhile, President of the DPSU, Steve Joseph said when one contemplates the word right, one can admit that in Dominica the problem is not that, “we do not have rights.”

“The challenge for us is many are ignorant of their rights,” he stated. “Some of you have never picked up general orders. You have never read through the public service act, you do not know what the labour code is.”

For example, Joseph said sometimes the union organizes training and members do not show up.

“We have to do better,” he said.

He added, “Not that the rights are not there, but some people are ignorant about those rights.”

Joseph pointed out that were it not for the unions, things would be worse in Dominica.

“And we aim to be the voice of the voiceless and to provide some balance”, he noted.

He  asserted that union members must be able to stand up for their rights.

“For workers who do not know their rights they need to get to know their rights and when you know your rights you need to demand it or grab it if you have to,” he remarked. “It is your rights…”