THE much-anticipated Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service had its first hearing on Tuesday at the Watooka Complex in Linden. Giving testimony were many Lindeners, including influential personalities such as Regional Chairman Renis Morian; CEO of the Linden Electricity Company, Horace James; Deputy Regional Executive Officer Mrs. Maylene Stephen, and Manager of the GRA in Linden, Miss Desaree Parkinson.Many persons were elated to have this opportunity to articulate their concerns on several issues needing urgent attention relative to the Public Service. Among those persons were regular public servants, self-employed residents and retirees.

Among the several concerns brought to the attention of the commissioners was the issue of the contract system that was initiated by the PPP/C government. Horace James, CEO of the Linden Electricity Company, testified that he is not in agreement with this arrangement, as it degrades the system of permanency for an individual.

“Persons are interested in long-term employment and security, and this system fails to provide that for a young individual,” he contended. In addition, he reasoned, the 6 months’ gratuity payment given to workers can be deemed financial insecurity, since this is paid in lieu of pension.

“Young persons offered this package will give it preference over a pension, as they are seeking immediate gratification,” he explained. “It is like offering a child a sweet instead of a book. Obviously, the child will choose the sweet, without thinking of the benefits the book will bring,” James reasoned.

Besides this issue, residents ventilated their disgust over certain attitudes possessed by public servants, and the evident lack of training portrayed in those attitudes and public servants’ work ethics.

Training in hospitality ethics for every public servant was recommended. “Public servants need to remember that the public are their bosses and the public are the ones who pay their salaries,” posited former policeman Hugh Stephen.

The dress code requirement for citizens to access government buildings was an issue also raised, and citizens said it is sometimes unfair and hypocritical to demand that they adhere to a particular code of dress when public servants are dressed more provocatively than those citizens refused entry to the premises.

Mahendra Persaud, Office Manager of the National Insurance Scheme in Linden, testified that the retirement age should be reviewed, as retirees are forced to survive on their public service pension, which is not an easy feat in this economic era. He recommended that the retirement age be shifted to 60, as persons become eligible for NIS pension at that age.

With the receipt of both pensions, he said persons would be better able to address their needs.

Having facilitated the residents of Linden in voicing their concerns on several issues, such as corruption, salary scale, working conditions, and worker training, the commission will conclude its sitting tomorrow.

The purpose of this commission is to receive testimony from interested parties to enable it to examine, advise and report on the salaries, conditions of service, training and other matters pertaining to improving the efficiency of the Public Service and the wellbeing of public servants in the Guyana Public Service.

By Vanessa Braithwaite