“Time to Decentralise the Public Service Commission”

Decentralising the Public Service Commission (PSC) isn’t just an idea; it’s a pressing necessity. This is the strong belief of Narendranath Gopee, a negotiator with the Federation of Civil Service and Other Unions (FCSOU). He argued that establishing a branch of the PSC in every district across the nation would tackle the persistent issue of personnel shortages in various ministries.

Reflecting on a recent meeting he attended with the Minister of Public Service, Raj Pentiah, Gopee expressed his disappointment.

He described the session as “overly broad,” leaving him unable to truly convey his thoughts on the needed reforms in the sector.

The upcoming report from the Pay Research Bureau (PRB) also looms large in Gopee’s mind, particularly since the PRB has yet to consult with union leaders ahead of its release.

He has voiced his concerns directly to the Cabinet Secretary, demanding an urgent meeting with PRB officials.

The current state of industrial relations between the unions and some senior civil servants is, he insisted, far from healthy. “This only complicates matters,” he declared emphatically.

In a candid interview, Gopee shared his insights on the recent ministerial meeting with unions.

“I expected the new minister to call a meeting just weeks after taking office to get an understanding of the civil service’s workings and the various issues we face,” he recounted.

Yet, the format of the meeting left much to be desired.

With multiple union representatives speaking at once, there was little space for meaningful discussion, which he viewed as a troubling oversight on the minister’s part.

He continued, “We deal with a myriad of problems in the civil service. I made it clear to the minister just how dire our situation is.

Reform is not solely about listening; it requires collaboration and teamwork with the unions to implement the necessary changes.”

Despite his frustrations, Gopee remained committed to speaking out.

“I told him, ‘the public service is tethered to the barbarous relics of colonial thinking,’” summarising the stagnation from his perception.

“Our management system hasn’t evolved in 50 years, relying on outdated PSC regulations. An inflexible mindset among many responsible officers hampers progress, compounded by political interference that complicates civil service management.”

He stressed that without real change, new legislation, like the proposed Public Sector Reform Bill, will not suffice.

“Managing the civil service, especially as it is a Service-Oriented Organisation, hinges on a human touch, not just laws,” he warned.

Gopee advocated for accountability among civil servants, suggesting this could be bolstered by the Freedom of Information Act and a proposed Public Interest Litigation Bill.

“The civil service needs more than just new laws; it needs compassion,” he insisted.

“The ministry shouldn’t cultivate fear among public servants. Instead, the minister should carefully consider transformative changes and work hand-in-hand with the unions to revitalise the system.”

He also noted the existence of an initiative known as Public Sector Transformation, which, due to staffing shortages, has failed to make significant progress.

When asked about his unvoiced points from the meeting, Gopee shared his concerns over the minister’s preparedness.

“We were never asked about the future direction of the public service.

To truly reform, we must first tackle the roots of our problems, particularly in recruitment and promotions.

 The PSC is pivotal to this, yet we are stuck with a single PSC that delays recruitment. Why not have a PSC in each district?

Why should it be limited to Forest-Side? We could even establish mobile units or have multiple boards to ensure recruitment happens swiftly. This monopolistic approach to the PSC is outdated.”

Gopee’s call for decentralisation and genuine engagement with unions reflects the urgent need for reform in a system that’s long been set in its ways.

The Future of Public Service at Stake

If we continue with the current model of public service, it is destined to stumble and falter.

The Minister’s recent comments about “barbaric recruitment” right before the elections have sparked debate—what do they really mean? Narendranath Gopee, from the Federation of Civil Service and Other Unions (FCSOU), is having none of it.

“I disagree with him. Sure, it might not have been the best timing to recruit immediately before the elections, but the public service is crying out for personnel. The reality is that we’re facing a serious shortage of workers.”

This shortage isn’t just conjecture; it’s been highlighted by various officials, including Ashok Subron, the Minister of Social Security, during his unannounced visit to the Social Security office in Rose-Hill.

“The lack of staff is felt across almost every ministry,” Gopee insisted.

“Just take the health sector—a glaring example. There are not enough doctors, and as efforts are made to transform the system, we see specialists leaving for private practice.

Why? Because the motivation to work in public service simply isn’t there.”

Gopee argued that the challenges go beyond the Ministry of Public Service; they are systemic, affecting every level of governance.

“When we look at the big picture, we see the root of the problem,” he explained.

“The government’s intentions to improve the public service are commendable, and we’re here to support those efforts.

However, there is a need for a solid bridge between managers, federations, and unions. Right now, industrial relations within public service are strained.”

As anticipation surrounds the forthcoming report from the Pay Research Bureau (PRB), Gopee reflected on the consultation process thus far.

“Unfortunately, the PRB got off to a poor start. The fundamental principle since its inception has been to reach out to the unions before drafting its terms of reference for the next report.

This was respected until 2016, when it culminated in the 2021 report. Now, however, we see a shift in the PRB’s attitude.

As of January 27, they had yet to convene a meeting with the public sector federations.”

He emphasised that the terms of reference are crucial as they outline the direction that the upcoming report will take, ideally addressing the persistent weaknesses in public service.

He has even written to the new Cabinet Secretary to urge a meeting with the PRB Director, following a lack of response from the previous Secretary.

“It seems the Cabinet Secretary is too busy to meet with FCSOU,” he laments. “This kind of attitude undermines cooperation and has pushed public service into disarray.”

Gopee is holding out hope that the new Secretary will recognise the importance of this meeting before tensions escalate into protests.

“It wouldn’t benefit the Prime Minister’s Office if there’s industrial conflict,” he cautioned.

“We, at the federation level, are here to advocate for conflict resolution. We reiterate our request for the Secretary to understand the responsibilities this federation holds towards its members.

Without a meeting involving the Cabinet Secretary, we find ourselves in a compromising position with our affiliates.”

The discussion around the implementation of a 40-hour workweek in non-essential sectors is also heating up. “A 40-hour week must become the norm,” asserted Gopee passionately.

“Every worker deserves the opportunity to work no more than that. Right now, we see security guards working an exhausting 60 hours a week—it’s simply not right.”

He advocated for standardising working hours to create a more humane working environment.

“Work should not be treated as a commodity; treating workers like machines is unacceptable. In line with the principle of work-life balance, everyone should have adequate time for their families.”

He pointed out that the 40-hour workweek was established in the International Labour Organisation’s first convention, dating back to the aftermath of the First World War.

“The new Minister of Labour, Reza Uteem, has a significant responsibility to see this through,” he noted, suggesting it is vital that Uteem addresses matter at the upcoming international conference in June.

Shifting to the government’s programme speech, Gopee reflected, “This document outlines the government’s projects over the next five years and aligns with the promises made during the election campaign.

It showcases their intent to tackle issues like the economy, corruption, independence, justice, and education. There are many commendable initiatives mentioned.”

Particularly, Gopee drew attention to proposed amendments in Chapter 2 of the Constitution to safeguard citizens’ rights, including the right to privacy and freedom of expression.

“The document also mentions the creation of a Constitutional Review Commission to work on these amendments,” he added, highlighting that the pursuit of freedom of expression is especially significant given the previous administration’s treatment of union leaders and social workers.

He is also aware of environmental concerns, praising the government’s intentions towards agriculture and calling for a halt to the concrete expansion on fertile lands.

“Minister Arvin Boolell must take a firm stand against converting agricultural land for other developments. We need to protect our fertile grounds.”

Additionally, Gopee commended the plans for harnessing wind energy, a proposal his federation has long advocated.

“Mauritius, being a small island with abundant winds, can generate clean electricity this way. I also urge the government to explore wave energy as another alternative.”

As debates around the Chagos Archipelago continue, Gopee’s sentiment is clear.

“I struggle to understand the role of the United States in this negotiation process. The issue with Chagos began before our independence, with a deal struck between Mauritius and England.

The US was not involved then, but now they seem to have a seat at the table due to their military base on Diego Garcia.”

He added that Mauritius’ sovereignty over Chagos, including Diego Garcia, must be respected, regardless of external pressures.

“The focus must remain on our rights and ending the process of decolonisation. We are owed compensation for the use of our lands, irrespective of how the UK and US choose to negotiate.”

As these critical discussions unfold, Gopee’s call for reform and cooperation resonates louder than ever, as he stands firm against the barriers that threaten to impede progress in public service and beyond.

Source: Le Mauricien