Dear Editor,
The government in collaboration with the opposition under the astute leadership of Mr Robert Corbin must be commended for their work in ensuring that the commissions as agreed upon at the Stakeholders’ Forum are properly constituted. It remains of grave concern, however, that these commissions are being constituted but no Secretariat is being established. These commissions would not function effectively without the existence of a well-structured and well-resourced Secretariat.
The Constitution and the Laws of Guyana provide for a Public Service Appellate Tribunal. The absence of the tribunal has resulted in public servants being subjected to the fancies and whims of the Public Service Commission as was reflected in 2005 when public servants were denied the right of appeal from decisions of the Public Service Commission. The Public Service Appellate Tribunal is essential since it is designed to enable aggrieved public servants to appeal decisions of the commission where the affected workers are dissatisfied with its conclusions.
In essence it acts as a buffer and protects public servants against unfair and arbitrary judgment, and in some instances error of judgment. In the absence of a functioning tribunal, public servants are left with no other option but to seek redress in the courts, and having regard to the backlog of cases, the outcome is generally lengthy, expensive and laced with uncertainty. The absence of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal can be considered as anti-working class, unjust, unfair and oppressive.
The President is urged to take all the necessary measures to ensure that the Public Service Appellate Tribunal is appointed and activated in a timely manner.
Yours faithfully,
Courtney Henry
