The Dominica Public Service Union says it is going ahead with protest action against government for its failure to properly address statements by consultant Parry Bellot that 80 per cent of them aren’t pulling their weight.
General Secretary of the DPSU Thomas Letang told a press conference Friday that government did not respond favorably to a request to have these statements retracted.
Letang said government responded by stating in a letter signed by Labour Minister Charles Savarin that the government made no attack on public officers directly or through Parry Bellot.
“The letter adviced that the DPSU deals directly with Bellot about the issue. I am totally baffled and confused because when he (Bellot) addressed the media, he made statements in his capacity as government productivity consultant”.
Letang said his union feels very strongly that Bellot used his position to make that statement and that the government has a responsibility to direct Bellot to retract that statement and issue an apology.
“The response has fallen short of telling us that he will instruct Bellot to issue an apology. In the absence of that we maintain our position that we will protest,” the union leader warned.
The DPSU boss says the union is mobilizing its members who will also be protesting against government’s failure to properly address resolutions dealing with salaries.
He said as far as salary negotiations are concerned, the DPSU has not received any response to the letters which were sent to the prime minister.
“We feel like nothing is being done and we are saying that if within the next few days we do not get an invitation to return to the negotiation table, it means that we will be taking some action in that regard”.
Letang told reporters he was not sure what form the protest will take “but we will be mobilizing public servants and we will take action”.
The DPSU membership is expected to meet in the next week and a half to decide what form the proposed action will take.
Mr Bellot’s 80% may be high, but through my experience I believe the sentiment to be right on. I would say that most persons who encounter the public service (not having a “friend” dealing for them)would conclude that the public service in far form efficient. Mr. Latang, most of us who don’t have “friends” in ministry believe this to be true. Personal experience not withstanding, It would seem to be to your advantage to produce a study showing how efficient the public service is. Prove Mr. Bellot wrong. Let the public have your number and go one step beyond Mr. Bellot and produce the confirming data. Also, a study such as this may help bring your negotiations with the government to a conclusion in DPSU favor.
Mr. Latang given the apparent dysfunction in the running of our country there may be many reason for industrial action on the part of civil servants but Mr. Bellot’s statement is not one of them. By the way, does the DPSU provide/sponsor training programs to enhance the abilities of its members.
Go Letang go. Time for serious action against this nonsense happening in the country. You have my support 1000000000000000000000000000000%. All shall eat and be respected too.
WELL WELL I MUST SAY THAT FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD FROM GOVERNMENT WORKERS THEMSELVES, THERE IS A LOT OF UNFAIRNESS WITH THAT GOVERNMENT SYSTEM. I MYSELF WORKING FOR A PRIVATE COMPANY FOR FEW YEARS NOW AND I NOT REGRETTING IT.
THIS MALE FRIEND OF MINE WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT FOR OVER 20 YEARS NOW. NOW HE TELLING ME THAT HE KNOW OF STAFF MEMBERS WHO HARDLY AT WORK AND NEVER PERFORM DUTIES AS TOLD AND THEY GETTING GOOD APPRAISALS AND EVEN GETTING APPOINTED. WHEREAS SOME WHO HAVE THEIR DEGREES GET FILING POSITIONS AND REMAIN THERE FOR A VERY LONG TIME SO THEY NOT GETTING A CHANCE TO PROVE THEMSELVES. I GUESS EVERYTHING IS UPSIDE DOWN FOR REAL.. THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO – AS TO THE RIGHT PLACEMENT OF EACH GOVERNMENT WORKER.
Letang,your union and public officers tired beg and cry out to this illegal government!U and your union have had many reasons and occasions when u all could take action and did not.U all should have taken action when they lied and fooled u by imposing a 5% levy on the salaries of public officers while increasing ministries, their salaries and jobs for the boys.With all the ills these guys are creating in the country u all have an opportunity with all good reasons to strike until these evil government is out of office.See what thy’ve done,take $1,000.00 monthly for medical expenses which is the salary of some officers,then go to the parliament to justify taking thousands of dollars for medical attention overseas,is that not an act of evil on their part.Whilst a teacher on the job being injured by a student cannot find medical attention without coming forward with the money upfront,what more reason do u want on top of the low salary teachers and others recieve so u cabn take action?These are justifiable reasons for action,close down the country so Charles Savarin can have a taste of his medicine.
Does Letang have any real work for the PSU to do its duty. The truth really hurts, but Mr. Letang you have a right to your response likewise Mr. Bellot to his so called factless opinion. Your immature response to inflict protest action against the government reflects abuse of your power and position. Be rational and reconsider.
Whether Parry Bellot is right or wrong the point remains that we Dominicans do not stand up for anything. As a result we will always be the last in everything. One can look at the statement Parry made in many different ways, for example, the public servants are demotivated by all this confusion going on in this country, there is not much incentive to work, the leaders of the country themselves set bad examples, the possibility that there are many workers who are there because of political affiliation not because they can do the job efficiently. But the point is it was unfair to make such a statement when he Parry did not use proper evaluation methods which he admitted. But then again why should I protest for a statement someone made? Before the 2009 elections the same PSU asked public servants to go on a go slow to pressure the Government to deliver on salary increases, instead what did the Public servants do especially those labourite ones? They came to work, there were those who were on vacation they came back to work. They made sure that the airport was able to operate so the plane loads of foreign based voters could come in and vote. I mean the PSU was trying to pressure the Government to give the salary increase before elections, which to me was a very tactical move. But some preferred their PARTY more than themselves. That is why I have decided that I will never protest,strike nor demonstrate because when it was about OUR salary increase people decided otherwise so why waste my time to protest because Parry made a statement. AS I see it is LABOURITES who voted this Government into power and they will be the same ones who will eventually vote them out. Se pwell chien pous jaywie chien
we not voting them out AT ALL
The queation which is not answered is who or what is Parry Bellot ? Who pays him as the socalled consultant .. a reject of a bygone age called parbel… a claimant of an eco organiqization WITH NO KNOWN MEMBERSHIP– A MAN WHO SIMPLY SAID THE THAT THE PM CAN DANCE QUADRILLE GETS APPOINTED .. A FREEDOMITE WHO HAS INSTALLED HIMSELF IN LABOUR AND NOW BENEFITING FROMM THE TAX PAYER BY MAKING A TRITE STATEMENT ON PRODUCTIVITY THAT ANY CHILD CAN MAKE EXAGGERATING A KNOWN FACT OF SOME UNPRODUCTIVITY IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE MERELY TO INCITE RESPONSE TO JUSTIFY HIS PAY…
WHY ARE WE SO NAIVE TO GIVE TIME AND CONSIDERATION TO SUCH CHILDISH EFFORTS TO DECEIVE AND INSTALL A FALSE PRESENCE OF SERIOUS INTELLECTUAL IMPORTANCE?
SAVARIN AND SKERRITT HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS IS A MATTER OF LITTLE CONCERN TO THEM AS THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SEMANTICS AND THE SINGING FOR SUPPER SITUATION OF PARRY
WHY IS LETANG AND THE PUBLIC TAKING THIS MAN SO SERIOULSLY ?
HEY DPSU BOSS,TAKE CHARGE ,YOU Are allowing yourself to be led …this is a childish ,emotional response ,,,,,You should have directed your request for retracting the statement to Parry not to the Government in the first place,now you find yourself tangled up.uSE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GET YOUR MEMBERS TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE AND AWARE OF THE PUBLIC”S PERCEPTION/SERVICE RECEIVED
Mr. Letang, are you seriously going to organise a protest, because Mr. Bellot said that 80% of public servants are unproductive? Your protest will just prove him right… any reason not to work.
A new attack on the PM??? Labourites will not strike!!!
Now it is time to start acting. See how fast the School kids from Grammer School went out to demonstrate the other day.
It seems like everything in Da in upsidedown. Only in Da we see adults more scared to demonstrate than children
Stop talking and act now, this Monday.
But Parry right. Its time somebody stand up and speak their mind. Protesting wouldnt change a thing. Dominicans, start giving a days work for a days pay. We deserve better.
Actually as a Govt employee…they expect you to give a days work for a half day’s pay. That is why Parry say we not productive.
We all have been complaining about the efficiency of the Public Service. Perry may not be correct with this high percentage but surely there needs to be an overhaul of the Public Service. We haven’t been getting the service we deserve except as a writer said, only if we got friends in the position. What has the DPSU has been doing to ensure that its members serve D/ca Public efficient
All you afraid if the protest take place Dominican’s will get real and then everyone will know what kind of gov’t we really have in Dominica this is just a start to show them we going forward not backward and we had enough of them bull………..shit……. talk and insalt from the top, now is the time to rise up and we going to do just that
Skerrit should fire all of dem and hire chinese, they to lazy & inefficient!
I do hope that since the return of UWP in parliament that my senator will continue to make the expected representation on the behalf of the poor hard working farmers of Dominica.
I also hope that our dear UWP joins hands hearts and voices with the PSU to bring about greater sensitization to the plight of our people. We are not in suppport of what MOONPHASE said about products !
I also believe that mebers of parliament should tour the schools ( huh) to meet and speak to the student bodies to dicuss matters of national development.
God bless our island
I AM NOT SAYING IS RIGHT SOME WORKERS DO WORK
HARD BUT OTHERS REALLY SEAT AROUND NOT DOING MUCH.
I DON’T THING PROTESTING IS A GOD IDEA. SUPERVISORS, MANAGERS AND OTHER INCHARGE SHOULD
SEE THAT THE STAFF PUT MORE EFFORT IN THEIR DAILY
DUTIES.
maybe the figures may not be so high. but i do agree with the statement and it’s a matter that needs addressing. it’s been six months since i applied for a resident permit for my wife who is a non-national and i have not received any response. tell me what kind of work is being done if it takes that long to process a simple document. they should privatize these department and u’ll find out about production.
thomas you are wasting time on this issue.Let us organize workshops to educate members to plan and adjust to the new retirement age set by social security
every strike action takes reduces the progress of any country.the french caribbean countries are reeling under the consequences of strikes over the years.the impact is being felt years after.who are the loosers?many office employers snob clients.if there were not clients you would not be employed.be logic.someone from the country wanting a passport have to come to roseau many times before getting the document whereas mr bigshot son get’s his right away.women are being victimised in dominica and cannot even get proper counseling,where as you have a ministry for that.do the job correctly .you are at the service of the population.that’s why you are there.
Now see what we have here. Refusal of government to give Public Servant their long overdue increase in salary and more refusal to retract the statement made by Parry. A statement that was not substantiated with any facts and specifics.
So as usual, the labourites will come and bash. This time they will bash Mr. Letang. Mr. Letang will now be called all sorts of name because he is putting pressure on their beloved PM. These people are refusing to see the bigger picture and will risk their own life and country for One Man.
While the man is a billionaire, their bank account in overdraft. But carry on. I will read about allu.
Mr. Letang d pm sec is one who needs training and many more so mr. Bellot is right.
is the same dam thing uno. government hire him – he make his statement – now government wash their hands like pilate and saying deal with him. in other words the find no cause against him – so its up to us to do what we want.
what utter rubbish eh we have as our employer!!!! and yes you guessed right I AM A PUBLIC OFFICER!!!
maybe the time has come to really shut down the service for a day or two. that is dam nonsense because government will try and use that against us later
and by the way the pm say that statement had no basis because there was no data … and charlo saying deal with the man directly? well, well, well we can do better that that we
THE BEST WAY TO PROTEST IS TO SHOW PARRY BELLOT THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE CAN PERFORM HONESTLY AND EFFICIENTLY.DURING THE LEBLANC ERA THE UK MINISTRY TAGGED THE DOMINICA CILVIL SERVICE AS THE BEST IN THE CARRIBEAN;AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM TO OBTAIN TO BUILD THE MINISTRY.THE FIRST GOVT HG IN THE CARRIBEAN
Can one imagine if the statement was made by a Government Minister or the PM himself, can one imagine what Mr Letang’s response would be.
This a no issue and Letang is only showing the world how silly he is and what contempt he has for the Government. Dominica is ours to build not break it down because of one statement which many public workers and the Dominican public believe to be true.
Does Mr. Letang recognises the economic situation the world faces, why would he wish to further cripple our fragile economy.
Are you a satellite of Lennox Linton Mr. Letang? As a public union member I won’t be supporting your call for action. Dominica deserves better from all sectors now to move on.
that mr. letang is just a trouble maker. go tell those people all you need to worker harder and try to be more efficient in the job. boo letang
They want us to Work hard just like the 18 Ministers in Cabinet that have nothing to do and the PM who does not live in Dominica for more than one week at a time always out and all u complained about Rossie eh? They asked us to make a sacrifice for our country and went on to cut our salaries by 5%. for two going on three years now we going without having negotiated a new salary agreement for the new trienum in the interim ministers salaries and allowances including health insurance gone up for them; ministers not doing medical done here again is hop on a plane and outside and play and we tax paying them. they set up all their people including Parry the consultant to the extent he can find productive time out of his non productive time in the Ministry to reincarnate his link margazine and his Parbel business which was in hybernation for over 20 yeras; all over the World they setting up people that have their interest and pocket at heart and we have to do the dirty work for them and cover it up to and when the bomb burst is we first they blaming oh the Minister doh have administrative power or is not the accounting officer so the cow always looks for the lowest part of the fence to jump; – well garcon all we asking for now is for gov’t to join us back at the bargaining table so that we can negotiate a proper wage already social security going up by .25% and to tell the consultant to take back that statement about 80% unproductive or according to the speaker to withdraw that statement simple. Guess what they refusing to do that; instead they playing wrong and strong by just totally ignoring us. So They just want to use us, abuse us and then to pack us – treating us like dirt, according to D soul puss there will never be slavery again no sah. When it suits them they say the country doing well and better than others in the Caribbean even to the extent that we now sending money for our families in Anguilla, America , England etc and all you doh want to give us what is ours a piece of the pie-so is so they put us then! well we had enough we want our fair share -Union standing strong forward we go.
Well my friend just look at what is going on around the world and put politics aside then you will make an informed decision.
Is lie then? The truth does really offend. I am a public servant and I cannot deny that fact. I don’t see why Letang making so much of a fuss when the statement is well founded. stupeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssss
TELL MR LATANG IF IS NOTHING HE HAVE TOO DO HE WILL GET SOMETHING TO DO ONE DAY, WHEN HE WILL GET WHAT HE GETTING THERE.HE HAVE TEACHERS IN HIS COMMUNITY SAYING THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT CHILDREN IN CLASS AS LONG THEY GET THERE PAY CHECK, NURSES SAY PEOPLE TROUBLING THEM, THAT’S WHAT HE HAVE TO LOOK ABOUT
I am not protesting because one man chooses to exercise “freedom of speech.” No way! I work hard every day to build this country … I do not intend to stop now and acknowledge the jesting of one man…no Sir! His opinion is not that important; do not make him think otherwise. When there is a cause worth fighting for, i will be the first to join you.
Parry Bellot may have exagerate on the 80% unproductivity but in all sectors of the public sector there is definitely unproductivity.
persons are just not pulling their weight. i as a public officer experience bad service in a certain section of the Gov’t service. And we all know and have experience it. So I would rate 50:50. Thomas Letang need to face the facts and stop playing with our minds.
I think Mr. Letang is playing politics. Instead of protesting, he should convince Mr. Bellot that his statement of 80% of DPSU not pulling their weight is not correct. Protesting is just going to give weight to what Mr. Bellot said.
Letang needs to work with, and encourage the DPSU to work harder. But he chose to encourage them to stay out of work and still get paid.
The DPSU must ask Letang to resign or “fire him” because he cannot negotiate for them. Look how long he negotiating and he not getting nowhere. All he does is talk, talk and more talk.
ehhen, that alu fink? well we will protest, and we will shut down the country once more just as Charles Savarin did in 1979 and alu will see who doing work and who not doing……… idiots
u talking like alu doin so much work
careful when u say 1979 on mr durand website…..back to front upside down inside out and left to right…..the “emperor” has no clothes yet he doesn’t want the union to perform some of its fundamental roles which are imperative in our society “INDUSTRIAL ACTION” ……the rapist always covers the victim mouth so nobody can hear their cries………..they will continue all their wicked ways….but i hope they don’t lose their marbles when they really see blood coming out from stone.
Confusion, confusion when there’s no vision. Bottoms up! The time is long overdue to stand for what is right in the country. If the the DPSU and the everyday worker can’t organize and coordinate
the appropriate actions to fight for their rights,
then the system to protect is seriously flawed.
Remember, when the shoe was on the other foot, Mr Charles Savarin had no problem with that. There’s nothing wrong to stand-up for the workers’ right and respect. And I mean Labour, UWP and Freedom as a whole. You catch my drift?
Ok for workers rights but workers have an obligation
You may protest but this does not change the perception of many Dominicans that Mr. Bellot is right. The best way to do that is to encourage members of the public sector to put a little more effort into their work. This can only benefit everyone.
I agree with you.Did dominicans listen to news to find out that 30% of the people that worked at the call center did not show up since carnival stated.Dominicans cry no work, however when they have a job they do not put their back into it.And when they migrate they doing all sorts of odd jobs and struggle.Work to build the counrty.be productive.
You started off well but you should not mention the word “they”. I work my heart out for ‘peanuts’, a hand to mouth salary.Others earn thousands for practically nothing.AN UNFAIR SYSTEM.
I AM IN SUPPORT OF MR LETANG’S STATEMENT.
he is so right wen they in their offices thy on their BB’s and they always boway wen u step in. if is ministry parry observed and said wat he said he is99% right.
I agree with you. i am a civil servant and it is a disgrace to see the amount of time wasting that takes place by my collegues.In my view cameras should be place in government institutions andthen we will see how many people will still give mr Bellot blows.
ANYONE WHO TAKES AN OVERVIEW AT THE SEVILE THIS IS SERVICE OR THE PUBLIC SECTOR WILL OBSERVE THAT THE PERSENTAGE OF INEFFICIENCY IS IN THE NINITIES,90%.MATTERS ARE NOT DELT WITH DISPATCH!
WHAT PARRY BELLOT AND LETANG NEED TO DO IS TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE AND THE REASON .EXAMINE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MANAGERS .IF THE MANAGERS ARE BAD THE ORGANISATION CANNOT BE GOOD.WHO ARE THE TOP MANAGERS ?THE PERMANENT SECRETARIES AND THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS.THEY ARE NEITHER MOTIVATING NOR MANAGING THEIR STAFF .I BET THEY DO NOT EVEN HAVE MEETINGS WITH THEIR STAFF .THEY MAY NOT BE EVEN SPEAKING TO THEM MUCH LESS …….
PARRY BELLOT HAS GIVEN US A SUBJECT FOR DIALOGUE AND NOT FOR PROTEST.THERE IS A LOT OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.WE NEED SOME SERIOUS EXAMINATION AND CORRECTIVE ACTION.JUSTMOI YOU HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD. ON THE HEAD .GOOD JOB!
NO EXCUSES ,TAKE ACTION MR P S .TAKE ACTION NOW !
DO NOT WAIT FOR A CRISIS TO DEVELOP.YOU ARE THE COACH, THE GENERAL THE MANAGER.DO YOUR JOB
Man go find some real work to do. Things must be really slow on your end to make an issue out of that. I hope the public servants don’t prove Parry right by taking time off for your foolishness.
good saying.And them stupid da people will follow him.he protesting is another bad example of people in position. he should set an example and encourage people to work harder.
I agree with u totally. And as a matter of fact I quite frankly feel that Mr Bellot’s rating is right on target. Mr Letang please encourage us Dominicans to work and please take that advice yourself when u give it.