The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) has issued a stark warning that the implementation of the newly enacted Public Service Appointments Act could be undermined by political interference and arbitrary promotion practices. While formally endorsing the legislation, union leadership expressed serious concerns that procedural delays and partisan favoritism might compromise the fundamental principles of meritocracy within the nation’s civil service.
During a Wednesday press briefing at CTUSAB’s Garrison headquarters, General Secretary Dennis de Peiza acknowledged the legislative advancement as a landmark achievement for labor rights, particularly noting that 1,170 temporary employees and 925 officers in acting positions would receive formal appointments. However, he emphasized that these appointments must strictly adhere to established human resources protocols managed by the Ministry of the Public Service’s Director General of Human Resources.
The union leader articulated specific concerns regarding the potential for politically motivated appointments, stating that positions should not be treated as ‘political gifts or patronage.’ He further highlighted how excessive delays in processing appointments had previously driven qualified officers out of the public service system before they could receive formal recognition.
CTUSAB’s apprehension extends to what it describes as ‘punitive reversions’ of experienced officers who have served in senior acting capacities for extended periods—sometimes reaching six to nine years—only to be deemed unsuitable during formal interviews and subsequently demoted to lower-ranking positions. These reversions, according to de Peiza, negatively impact salaries, employee morale, and overall confidence in the public service structure.
Union President Ryan Phillips reinforced these concerns by referencing historical productivity benchmarks, suggesting that Barbados needs to return to more transparent and effective personnel management practices. The organization cautioned that persistent unfair practices could ultimately deplete the public service of skilled professionals, thereby weakening institutional capacity and diminishing the quality of public service delivery.
CTUSAB maintains that preserving core values of integrity, impartiality, effectiveness, equity, and accountability remains paramount to maintaining public trust in the civil service system.