Parliamentary Representative for the Marigot Constituency, Anthony Charles, has argued that public officers are placed in acting positions for too long.
He was delivering his response to the 2025/2026 National Budget on Monday.
“Public officers often remain in acting positions for extended periods without confirmation. Mr. Speaker, I know we want to go into the film industry, but Mr. Speaker, too [many] people are acting for too long,” he said.
He continued, “Faster processing of appointments and promotion is essential [and] long delays can lead to frustration and [demotivation].”
“Recognition should reflect function and performance, not just formal appointment,” he stated. “Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Acting Commissioner, Deputy Acting Commissioner, Chief Cultural Officer (Acting), even the Opposition Leader, acting.”
He added, “…DBS Acting Manager,” to the list.
Furthermore, Charles argued that acting positions need to be made permanent, to “ give the people the encouragement to work.”
Meantime, Charles said many retirees and contract officers experience unacceptable delays in gratuity, “terminal benefit payment.”
“This often results in elderly or retired individuals having to make repeated trips or wait in uncertainty, sometimes for months; for years,” he remarked. “The government must prioritize timely processing of these payments with a transparent tracking system at the Treasury and the Ministry of Employment and clear service timelines to preserve dignity and financial stability for our retirees.”
He added, “After you worked for 50 years in the government service, they tell you you have to wait, ‘I will check you in six months’. Mr. Speaker, sometimes you want a lump sum, sometimes people agree [to] a monthly payment. But Mr. Speaker, when I work for 50 years, I want all my money.”
Charles went on to state that sometimes the money isn’t available, “and that alone can stress you in your old age.”
“After they give their lives and service to their country, we need to check them heavy,” he advised. “Give them what is due to them in a timely manner and fashion.”
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