Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
Despite selecting the University of the West Indies (UWI) Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business (ALJGSB) as the agency to develop the Remote Work Policy for T&T’s Civil Service, the Ministry of Public Administration (MPA) is still in negotiations.
Minister of Public Administration Allyson West said following the receipt of proposals, the MPA said it was working on bringing the successful proponent on board shortly and completing the policy and roll out in fiscal 2024 once it is acceptable.
West responded to Pointe-a-Pierre MP David Lee, who noted that the Government allocated $2 million for the policy development and asked for the status during yesterday’s sitting of the Standing Finance Committee on the 2024 National Budget in Parliament. Lee said it had been a topic for the last two years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lee also questioned why it fell under the MPA rather than the Ministry of Labour. West said the MPA was responsible for how the Public Service operates, so it works with the Ministry of Labour to develop the policy.
“We, in my view, are the ones who come up with the policy that influences how the Public Service works, and one of the things we are trying to do is ensure that with digitalisation, we improve the experience, both with the employees and the employers. So the work-from-home policy we are designing, as I said, working with the Ministry of Labour and other HR-related entities, is to ensure that we get to that place,” West said.
In March 2022, the Government’s former senate leader, Clarence Rambharat said completion of a consultant’s work by September 2022 would have determined a timeline for implementation. Rambharat said the Ministry of Planning and Development was in the process of hiring the consultant, given the complexities and wide range of issues in the matter. He expected one in April 2022 and the consultancy completed by September 2022.
In September 2023, West said the delayed proclamation of procurement legislation slowed the process.
“That person has indicated that it will take six to nine months for them to come up with a policy. So we are hoping that by this time next year, we will be announcing and starting the implementation of the work-from-home policy,” West said last month.
The MPA issued a media release on September 29, announcing that the ministry has entered into a negotiation phase with the ALJGSB.
The MPA said the policy would be developed on a phased basis over the coming months, with completion carded for 2024. The MPA advertised an RFP for the development of a Remote Work Policy in April across print and online media platforms.
“Suitably qualified proponents submitted proposals via the MPA’s eProcurement Portal. The deadline for submission was May 31. Submissions were reviewed by a committee that included representatives from the Judiciary, Personnel Department, Ministry of Digital Transformation, Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Public Administration,” the release stated.
Questions over $18M allocated for development of govt office accommodations
In Parliament, Lee also questioned the $18 million allocated for the development of government office accommodations. West said the expenditure was related to the acquisition of property that the Government has been looking at on Henry Street, Port-of-Spain. The Government also allocated $20 million to the MPA to switch from the current version of the HR management system to the new cloud version.
Under the Property and Real Estate Management Services Division, Lee noted a $48 million increase for repairs in fiscal 2024. West said the Government was not particularly good at maintaining and repairing buildings and was trying to correct that. The division targets the Port-of-Spain waterfront, Victoria Keys community, education tower and administration centres in Tunapuna and Siparia for fiscal 2024.
The Government allocated the Office of the President an expenditure of $23, 871, 470. Lee asked for details on a $1.1 million allocation to establish a Public Education Programme.
Leader of the House of Representatives Camille Robinson-Regis said that during President Christine Kangaloo’s inauguration, she indicated there would be an opening of the Office of the President to ensure the public understood the role and function of the President and associated aspects of the office. Robsinson-Regis said the funds were for the beginning of the programme.