fp Turks and Caicos

A number of concerned civil servants, who in November formed a working group, announced Dec. 31 their plans to revitalize the Civil Service Association in the coming new year.

A member of the working group, Dr. Rufus Ewing, says the group intends to promote the civil service as an organization of excellence which is both efficient and effective. However, he notes, “We can only do that if the members have a working environment that is conducive to their wellbeing. That is why we see at this critical time it is more than necessary for the civil service association to be revitalized.”

The association, which was founded in 1973, has been led by former Presidents Derek Taylor, Floyd Seymour and Royal Robinson, but it has lain dormant since 2003. The working group is looking to bring the important organization back to life with many objectives, including working with the government on its planned civil service reform.

Problems in the civil service have been called out by many in recent months, including U.K. Minister Andrew Rosindell, who said the service needed to be “completely restructured.” While Foreign Minister Henry Bellingham said he did not agree that a full restructuring was necessary, he confirmed reform measures needed to take place.

Members of the working group say they recognize there are problems, but that they want to be a part of the solutions.
“There are some issues out there, we are aware of it. Some changes are to be made,” Education Officer Louise Thomas said. Improved communication was noted by Thomas as being the most important fix needed. “Let us know, let us be apart of it.”

Ewing says it is imperative to work together to find out first why the civil servants individually and the civil service collectively are not performing effectively. “You can only then formulate a plan on how to deal with the civil service by knowing exactly what the problems are,” he said.

Conducting a survey of civil servants is one suggestion Ewing says could be done collectively to uncover the problems before any reform measures are decided upon.

“We are looking forward to a change, sitting down with the powers that be and make recommendations,” Lucille Wilson said.
In order for this plan to be effective, the working group members say civil servants need to join together in an official capacity so their voices can be heard.

Other goals of the organization include representation, recognition and training of its members. “It is our aim to empower all civil servants so that they can perform their duties with excellence,” Ewing said.

In addition, the group is looking to offer support for those who are made redundant, helping them to find employment in the private sector if and when that is necessary.

The organization appears to be supported by the interim government, which offered civil servants time off Thursday, Jan. 6, to hold elections for board members. Ewing also pointed out that the organization is supported by the General Orders and the 2006 Constitution.

In a statement also released Dec. 31, the government announced that some government offices may be closed or partially staffed Jan. 6 to facilitate the election:

“With a view to electing a CSA management team, public servants have been invited to a meeting to be held between 15:30 and 16:30 on Jan. 6. Public servants, excluding those providing emergency and essential services, who wish to attend the meeting will be permitted to be absent from their place of work for that purpose between 15:30 and 16:30 on Jan. 6.”

The working group is asking all of the more than 2,000 civil servants to join in their efforts to create a strong and efficient Civil Service Association. “We know you will need that level of support, and you will need representation now and in the future,” Ewing said.

The group has created a website (www.tcisca.webs.com) as well as a Facebook page (TCI Civil Service Association) where members of the community can get more information on the organization. Nominations for board members can also be made through those forums.