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Kurt Sansone
Living up to its commitment to ‘fast-track’ things once in government, the Labour Party has decided on a fast track approach towards approving policy documents by publishing what it is calling “vision statements” which will be approved by the party’s executive and parliamentary group after an internal and external discussion process.
The first of the vision statements, which will not require approval by the party’s general conference, unlike the recently published documents on industry, health and Gozo, was made public yesterday during a hurried press conference presided by Alfred Sant, flanked by Helena Dalli and Joe Mizzi.
Yesterday’s vision statement on the public sector talks of the need to have a “dynamic and efficient” public service that has as its principle aim to serve the citizen with the “least possible expense.”
The 10-page document prepared by Helena Dalli, talks of a thorough analysis of the various agencies, foundations, authorities, departments and boards to avoid duplication of work. “The number of employees required in every category must not accede the established number workers determined by a complementing exercise, which will be revised and adjourned on a regular basis according to the service being delivered,” the document states.
The document also talks of the need to match the skills of government employees with their respective jobs.
Those shouldering responsibility would be expected to quantify production, costs and suggest corrective measures if required.
A Labour government would also seek to reduce the percentage contribution of government wages to the GDP, not through redundancies but by ensuring increased efficiency and productivity based on the principle of “doing more with less.”
The document also puts in a good word for employee flexibility to ensure the needs of clients are met. This, however, will be introduced if and where required depending on the service.
The document also reiterates Labour’s commitment to introducing a Whistleblower Act.
Asked by MaltaToday how will a Labour government tackle the rigidity of the civil service pay structures, Sant disagreed that monetary compensation was at the heart of disgruntlement within the civil service.
“People in the civil service are de-motivated not because of their pay but because of poor reporting relationships, lack of co-ordination and little policy making. We need to address these issues to be able to motivate civil servants,” Sant said.
Similar vision statements will be published in the weeks and months ahead on justice and the law courts, foreign policy and heritage.
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