Dear Editor
The Guyana Public Service Union (GSU) notes with interest the assertion attributed to Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, in a section of the media regarding the desirability of members of the public being treated with a certain level of respect and courtesy in their encounters with public service offices and institutions.

Specifically, according to the media report, the Minister of State listed Permanent Secretaries, Heads and Regional Executive Officers of Ministries, Departments and regions “to ensure that members of the public are treated with more respect and courtesy.”
The GPSU wishes to associate itself with the sentiments of the Minister of State that advocate efficient, pleasing and productive encounters between members of the public and Public Servants as an integral part of the work environment. We believe that “respect” and “courtesy” are obligations on both sides. One might add that apart from those categories of public servants listed in the media report, ministers of government and other high officials should also be bound by the protocols of “respect and courtesy.” It is no secret that arrogance and dismissiveness sometimes goes hand in glove with high office in some institutions. That has to change too.

Those considerations apart, it is the view of the GPSU that the treatment afforded members of the public in their engagements with state institutions is bound to be enhanced if a more serious and determined effort is made to create a more convivial environment within those institutions by significantly improving the quality of the facilities available to both the public and to those who must give service to the public. There are still far too many examples of public offices that are less than properly appointed and which do not afford either public officers or members of the public some basic amenities, including acceptable facilities that enable interaction in an environment of reasonable comfort.

Accordingly, even as high officials of government make pronouncements regarding the desirability of professionalism in the treatment of members of the public by public servants, so too must government recognize its own reciprocal responsibility to provide facilities that cater to the comfort of public servants in their work environment and generally, to upgrade the efficiency of the various services that they deliver. Anything less would be self-serving. Incidentally, it is timely that the Government of Guyana pronounce with clarity on the situation regarding the public health status of the Camp Street premises housing the offices of the Guyana Revenue Authority.

Despite the exhaustive discourses that have arisen out of this worrisome situation, including the concerns expressed by the Union over its safety and health implications for both GRA employees and members of the public, the Authority has failed, over a protracted period, to accord the Union a briefing on such plans as may exist for remedial action. Given the nature of the issue we regard the Authority’s attitude as downright unacceptable and reflective of the same unacceptable behavior which is being frowned upon.

Regards
Patrick Yarde
President, GPSU