Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 13, 2011 (SKNIS) - Hundreds of Executive and Administrative Officers as well as Senior Clerks of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis attended a meeting of the consultation phase for the draft Public Service Bill on Thursday December 13.

 
Chief Secretary, Mr. Joseph Edmeade told the gathering that the bill was being revised as a means of restructuring the Public Service to increase efficiency, productivity, and also to bring about a paradigm shift as far as increasing Government’s customer service focus.

 
Mr. Edmeade added that this would be brought about largely by making further provisions relating to the organization and management of the public service as well as relating to the Public Service Commission.

 
Three main aspects of the revision up for discussion dealt with issues related to increased benefits for Government Auxillary Employees; the restructuring of the pension regime, as well as a consultation with Insurance companies regarding the existing insurance scheme available to Civil Servants.
 
     
Senior Parliamentary Counsel, Mr. Israel Mucassa made a presentation on the sections of the Draft, pinpointing important aspects as they relate to the appointment, removal and discipline, redress as well as the rights and responsibilities of Public Officers.
 
 
Following the counsel’s presentation questions were welcomed by participating panelists including Human Resource Officer Thelma Richards and Permanent Secretaries Mrs. Astona Browne and Mr. Elvis Newton.

 
Additionally, one of the key intentions of the Bill is to make permanent secretaries a more cohesive body with standardized procedures and greater accountability to a Head of the civil service.

 
Several issues were also raised in relation to the standardization of service procedures and attendees were informed that written submissions for areas of concern could also be forwarded to the Human Resources Department.
 

The public vetting continues with additional sessions scheduled for the next two weeks.