Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has dismissed suggestions that his administration will be cutting staff in the public sector.
Speaking on state-owned DBS Radio Skerrit said his statements at the commissioning of a water tank in Morne on Tuesday were misinterpreted.
“The prime minister was speaking about discretionary spending in the public service and making the point to companies like DOWASCO that they themselves must look at DOWASCO to see what cuts they can makes in so far at discetionary spending,” Skerrit said.
While addressing a function at Morne Bruce on Tuesday the prime minister said his administration would be “making further cuts within the public service to contain discretionary spending.”
He said this was necessary in light of the economic global crisis. “In light of the global crisis we have to take pro-active and preemptive action as we started to do two or three years ago when the global crisis hit the international scene,” he said.
The prime minister’s statement raised concerns among some as to whether the intended reduction in public sector spending could result in the loss of public sector jobs. General Secretary of Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), Thomas Letang, said on Wednesday morning that the union would be mobilizing members to make sure their jobs were protected.
But the prime minister told DBS Radio the cuts were only aimed at discretionary cuts in the public service. “It is absurd for anybody to interpret me to be saying there will be further cuts in public service to mean that there will be cuts in the public servants’ pay … or reduction in the amount of public servants within the state,” he said.
If Dominicans were in the habit of calling their leaders on what they say, these utterances of the P M would be a ticking time-bomb that would explode on the Skerrit regime. Down sizing the labor force both public and private will be necessary before we see an end to the “global crisis” When unemployment numbers indicate that more persons are without work and the numbers continue to escalate why would public sector workers be exempt. In response to this global crisis, governments the world over are reducing employees, why would Dominica be different. Maybe the administration should take credit for not having reduce the number of civil servents before now, but to say that it will not be done sounds like wishful thinking.
discretionary spending is everything in the current yearly budget that is not mandatory.education,traveletc..not social sec
Let’s be reasonable. We could accept the explanation of the PM. He explained that he meant cuts in “discretionary spending” in the public service and not cuts in public servants. His statement may have been taken out of context. However, if one were to focus on the impulsive reaction to the PM’s statement, there is a lot that could be said.
As part of the exercise of this discretion, one hopes the Minister of Finance, who recently presented his annual budget with estimates of revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year, will earnestly consider the following as part of his discretionary spending cuts in the public sector;
-Immediate reduction of the number of government ministers and advisors, in particular those who are ill or of advanced age;
-Retire the retirees in the public sector. Let them move on in the enjoyment of their retirement. Perhaps they may choose to invest their excess savings in small business development, which could help in the creation of jobs;
-Reduction of the Prime Minister’s security detail, including the number of SUV following him around;
-Reduction in discretionary travel and travel associated expenses;
-Improve efficiency in the public sector and provide more non-monetary incentives to motivate public sector employees
The above is necessary as there is no explanation of what has gone so wrong with the economy between the presentation of the budget on 17 July 2012 and now to cause a “vibrant and buoyant” economy only a few months ago to be in such dire straits today, assuming that the PM has always been truthful on the state of the economy. Yes, the public sector may be too large and may need to be reduced but more importantly, we need to find ways to create new and sustainable jobs for our people.
Finally, the PM should try to be clear in his utterances in order to reduce doubt and speculation, especially as the integrity, sincerity and honesty of the PM remain fragile
alu doh see de contry broke and falling apart? get rid of skerrit so that we can start breathing again.
hats off to my union on that one .i support the labour party but any move to make us lose our jobs will be stronly resisted
whether that was his intension or not the P.S. U WAS ON THE BALL . good response Letang. that is what good leadership is about that is being pro active. Remember Pary Bellot and his statement as well as getting Government back at the negotiating table. Forget your criticts we the members are proud of you
At least i got the sense that the people were ready to resist this one…It’ up to their neck now.I can feel the change!
One thing on the right side of the mouth, another thing on the left side of the mouth, and yet another thing coming from the center.A LAZY CLUELESS GOVERNMENT OF CONFUSION.
u so right
This is why these countries stay poor, because the government is the leading employer. Public sector employment higher than private sector. Hence taxation is the only source of government funding so the public fronting the bill for that mess.
so true
the words are not private sector, it is chinese sector
Way they say they say! Moon Car De sa yo flay!
Good job Mr. Letang,had you not called an emergency meeting of your executive to take action and intend to mobilise your forces,I am sure Skerrit would have had things his own way.
I wish to thank DNO for the rapidity in which you moderated my last comments.
Comments,comments,comments, those are what the people want to read,dont hold them back.”The comments made on this medium is not sanctioned or approved by the management of DNO, therefore,DNO will not be held resposible for the contents,” that is all you need.
yea if he had called a strick 80 percent of those civil slaves would say i not stricking because my party in power
Whatever you say or do – good or bad – we will give it a bad interpretation like the GOP/Obama syndrome. Welcome to 21st Century politics.
I am glad to learn of the true intention of the Prime Minister. I accept the explanation as given. It seems reasonable under the circumstances. Perhaps DNO may wish to revisit the opening sentence of its story that the PM “dismissed suggestions.” which unfortunately conveys a sense of arrogant and dismissive posture, which the PM may not have intended on this occasion.
It is not necessarily absurd that some people may have construed the Prime Minister’s statement as they did in light of the past conduct and expressions of the PM. However, I think that the explanation of his statement is in order. Indeed, he could only be referring to “discretionary cuts in the public sector spending. To suggest anything other than that would be scandalous. I am happy that we had such a swift and clear explanation of the statement.
Well done Prime Minister. Take a page from this. Listen to your critics. Do not dismiss us. You do not have to accept everything but there is a lot that you can learn. Dominica will be a better nation if we are prepared to learn from each other irrespective of our narrow partisan political stand, religious beliefs,, economic status or current position in this evolving society.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
RV with that post you have solidified my respect for you. Tell me who you are I am waiting to give you a high-five when we cross paths.
Thank you Jango…I like the name. It suggests a strong and honest person.
Who knows, we may already be crossing paths if you live, visit or traverse the Roseau Valley.
I suspect that we may not always be thinking the same way but at least we can be civil in exchange our point of view.
If you are a diehard party supporter, we may have many fall outs as I do not expect you to agree with me all the time. But if you are prepared to stick to principle, common sense and telling it as it is, we will agree more often.
Appreciate, you kind feedback
Respectfully, Roseau Valley
LMAO on Thomas Letang…. so he ready to mobilize workers!!!!!
What is wrong with our ppl bond dieu??
A simple statement like that can be so blown out of proportion? ONLY ON Q, RIGHT ON Q and big gullible men like THOMAS LETANG shows off his IGNORANCE as a badge of honour!!!!!
Sad but True!!!
@Joe Thanks God Letang is not a sycophant like you,island hopping to see wher supper is coming from.Guess you could dress all in Red and go down on your knees at the Clinic.
Good job Letang you were pro active.
lol..a labourite telling people about ignorance.
Oh god, you make my night with that one
This is a call out to all young people of Dominica. Let us gather on Friday August 31 to demonstrate our dissatisfaction with this government.Politicians are not invited- strictly young people wanting a better Dominica with less lies, deceit and corruption. A Dominica where the government is focused on the youth not their pocket.
If you are with me show up infront of the ministry with a sign expressing your thoughts and area of government failure.
if u want young ppl to gather u use the social media.
No down sizing of the public sector just the government need to go and when you guys leave just ask for a bus ride up to stock farm cause the people of Dominica are willing to collect the country’s resources that are hidden in private bank accounts, villas, land and property overseas.
We will be hunting down all our passports ,diplomats and all other rats who paid for our passports and the treasury is yet to get the money.
oh to start with DOWASCO, you must check which minister that had de petro backhoe working on the water project from capuchine to layou,salisbury….and falsely drawing money
this is an amazing government.
were were told we had surplus that we even give antigua and st kitts money.
we were told the country is doing good and our gdp grown by x amount of percentage..
they told us agriculture grew…
people please doh tell me is the economic situation because we were wasting and spending lavishly before an election(22million), infrastructure going up but only chinese employed, de port pregnant with people from de north, government service overfilled with rude arrogant little children … all the friends of the government buying 1.5million properties around roseau, large parcels of land in places like warner, houses, two three 2hundred thousand dollars SUV’s.. so i conclude that the economy is GOOD.
and letang mark my words i not striking for no body because when i lose my 8 days pay civil servants came to work and say it is their party that in power, dey not striking … so for me is pocket before party.
I can remember that very clearly…Now this lazy and incompetent regime, having destroyed and polluted everything is groping in the dark.
Thanks God Letang was directly on the ball this morning..
…and the give liat how much millions while the only raod in Picard that is paved is the road just in front of the lilac building. Although Ross is the only income generator in Dominica the students are complaining about the road situation.
STUPEEEES flip flopper
Interesting, hmmmm
A little clarity cant hurt when such statements are made…..
blah blah blah….the PM needs to learn to address the situations that really matter..not those craps….according to the unwanted….WHAT THEY SAY THEY SAY!!!
as usual, people pick out what they want in the pm statements to make their news.
It was time.
I was at Morne Bruce on Tuesday August 28th and heard the PM’s address during the commissioning of the new Morne Bruce Water Storage Tank. The following morning I was literally shocked to hear the interpretation that was given to the PM’s remarks regarding discretionary spending in the Public Sevice. Essentially the news reported that the PM was contemplating cutting back “downsizing” the Public Servic. To make it worst, the Generally Secretary of the PSU was quick to respond even when he did not hear the PM’s statement himself. He was threatening immediate, swift and decisive reaction to safeguard the jobs of Public Officers. So much for responsible or carefree leadership
The addresses at the ceremony were carried live by at least two media houses – DBS Radio and Kairi FOM. It begs the question. Was a recording made of the speeches? Did the reporter listened to the recordings? Did he understand what he heard? But who is that reporter to have so misunderstood the PM statement, and almost cause panoc amd confusion among Publc Servants and was sure to give Mr.Letang a heart attack?
To compound matters. Kairi FM (my favorite radio station, never mind) carried a news story twice in succession on Wednesday August 29th which again misrepresented the voice of the Chief Enginner at DOWASCO. After the said insert was read, there was an apology of sorts for the wrong insert. Lo and behold the same insert was repeated on the lunch time news cast, this time with no apology. Once is a mistake. Twice is sheeeer incompetence. Somebody had to bring it to the attention of the News Desk from the morning news cast that the voice of the Chief Engineer at DOWASCO does not in any way sound like the voice of the Chairman of DOWASCO. They have different accents and intonation and gave different perspectives on the Morne Bruce water tank project. Kairi FM’s news desk must rise to the occasion. You have it in you to do so.
Well, why not?
typical q95 propaganda when I heard them this morning and I heard what was actually said by the Prime Minister I said but wait are these guys really serious? but then I figured that they cant be since no one takes them seriously anymore and rightly so…..Then they cry and belly ache when the PM does not come on Q stupes
Mr. PM u lucky. u almost got caught with your pants below the line.
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
Start by parking the government vehicles at night and not allowing civil servants to use them as their own personal vehicles.
Then try to implement a system where people actually do work, not chat and FB and waste my tax paying dollars.
Each and every day I go into government building, and it is evident day in day out. Same thing with customs, 3 man to do the job of one, two just chatting away, yet it takes you half an hour to get paperwork done, and no one else can help you. Teach them to multitask.
Am I making any sense????