BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 11th, 2016 (PRESS SEC) – Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris and Cabinet Secretary, Mrs. Josephine Huggins met with more than 100 civil service professionals on Thursday and Friday.
The series of meetings formed part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to communicate clear expectations to its staff, improve employee engagement and workplace relationships, and ensure sustainable performance in the public sector.
On the matter of ensuring sustainable performance, Prime Minister Harris inspired a lot of discussion last December when he announced in his 2016 Budget Address that the Team Unity Administration intended to improve efficiency in the public sector by implementing the increasingly popular pay for performance practice.
“The intent is to motivate individuals to perform at their optimal levels with the expectation that commensurate rewards will result from their work effort. At the outset, a pilot programme will be considered that carves out a modest allocation of funds from existing programmes to finance an incentive-based programme that rewards outstanding work effort,” Dr. Harris said in his Budget Address to the nation.
During the government staff meetings this week, pay-for-performance was at the fore of discussions, with Prime Minister Harris saying, “We may expect – had it not been for the lesson of the IMF intervention – that every year we will get an increase, whether or not we perform. However, we have to move towards performance-based pay. That is where I intend, as the Minister with responsibility for the human resources of the government, to take the country over time.”
Context on “the lesson of the IMF intervention”: The International Monetary Fund’s St. Kitts and Nevis Country Report published in September 2011 stated that the authorities started to implement a strong fiscal adjustment program at the end of 2010, after having been “faced with increasing fiscal imbalances.” The IMF report said elements of the program included civil service reform. “St. Kitts and Nevis’ public sector is large even by standards of small states,” the report said, adding that, “In order to underpin improvements in the fiscal position during the program period, the authorities will freeze the wage bill for the next three years.”
Between 2011 and 2014, the Douglas-led regime imposed on civil servants a wage freeze and took away their increments. In January 2014, the former government discontinued the wage freeze and restored incremental payments.
Speaking with the civil service professionals this week, Prime Minister Harris expounded on his Administration’s view that compensation should match an individual’s impact on and contribution to the organization.
“If you perform exceptionally well, you will be rewarded exceptionally well. If you are performing consistently well, your Permanent Secretary must fast track you through the scales. If you are not performing, you must not get any increment. If you are not performing and you are unwilling to change, then we’d have to find alternative things for you to do. You have to get your friends who are not industrious and creative on that page,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Harris said his Administration would establish tangible performance metrics, i.e. what ought to be rewarded and incentivized. The Prime Minister also said the performance metrics would consider several factors rather than just a civil service employee’s length of tenure.
“We want the system to be able to recognize and reward people who are doing superb work and to hold them up as persons whom others should emulate. I think that is the new culture we want to create, and over time we are going to get there,” the Prime Minister said.
Dr. Harris added, “Years of service certainly would not be the only criteria. We have to look at a composite measure because you could be here long and be behaving badly.” That point made by the Prime Minister elicited robust laughter from government staffers, but all jokes aside Prime Minister Harris and his team are taking the move towards performance-based pay seriously.
The Prime Minister said this week that the Government shall contract experts to work with its human resources department in setting up and structuring a performance-based programme. Prime Minister Harris added that His Excellency Dr. Everson Hull, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS) for St. Kitts and Nevis, is working with the Government on this matter.
It is increasingly clear that serious organizations throughout the world see pay for performance as the way to go. For instance, on March 31st, the Harvard Business Review published the results of the 2016 Compensation Best Practices Report based on research conducted by Payscale, Inc. The HBR article titled When Unequal Pay Is Actually Fair reports “the number of companies that offer bonuses or other forms of pay for performance has increased 6% over the last two years” and “highly successful companies – those who are leaders in their market and have surpassed revenue expectations – are the most likely to adopt this compensation policy.” The article also states, “It appears there is a growing trend toward using bonuses to pay for performance, as half of these top performing companies are increasing their budget for bonuses in 2016.”
(Press release courtesy of the Office of the Press Secretary)
– See more at: http://sknis.info/pm-harris-sheds-light-on-his-team-unity-administrations-plans-to-implement-performance-based-pay-in-the-public-sector/#sthash.B5OeSRRs.dpuf
PM Harris sheds light on his team unity administration’s plans to implement performance-based pay in the public sector
Weekly Post Cabinet Briefing
ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, Monday 11th April, 2016 –GIS: The Media is invited to the weekly Post Cabinet Briefing to be held at the Ministry of Works Conference Room tomorrow, Tuesday 12th April, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.
Facilitating the Briefing will be Minister for Economic Development, Trade, Planning and Cooperatives, Hon. Oliver Joseph.
The Media is asked to please have equipment set up by 9:15 a.m.
Barbados And Australia Discuss Climate Change
BARBADOS: Matters related to managing the effects of climate change were high on the agenda when newly-appointed Australian High Commissioner to Barbados, John Pilbeam, met recently with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean.
During the meeting, which took place at the Minister’s Culloden road offices, High Commissioner Pilbeam noted that there were a number of similarities between Caribbean Islands and the Islands in the Pacific, where negative effects of climate change could be seen.
He added that the strategies used in the Caribbean were often very helpful to the Pacific Islands.
Senator McClean used the devastating effects caused by unseasonal rainfall in Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent in recent years as a testimony of the adverse effects of climate change.
She added that Caribbean countries were part of a study to fully assess the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States in dealing with such matters, and was currently working with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean to establish measures and indicators of vulnerabilities for the region.
The Foreign Affairs Minister also pointed out that Government would continue its efforts to encourage adaptation and mitigation, and was keen to involve the private sector in working with Government in those areas.
The two also spoke about a Commonwealth finance initiative launched last year in Mauritius, which would allow Small Island Developing States and Least Developed States, which are the most vulnerable to climate change, to access funds for urgent adaptation and mitigation.
Other matters discussed included renewable energy, Barbados’ agricultural sector, and activities to celebrate Barbados’ 50th anniversary of Independence. The Governments of Barbados and Australia established diplomatic relations on January 7, 1974.
kim.ramsay-moore@barbados.gov.bb
New Petroleum Prices From Midnight April 10
BARBADOS: Consumers will pay more for gasoline, diesel and kerosene, and less for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from midnight, Sunday, April 10.
The retail price of gasoline will move from BDD$2.58 to BDD$2.63, an increase of five cents per litre.
The price of diesel will rise from BDD$1.77 per litre to BDD$1.83, an increase of six cents. Kerosene will now retail at 83 cents per litre, an increase of two cents.
Meanwhile, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will retail at BDD$150.56 per 100 lbs cylinder, a decrease of $1.34 cents.
The price of the 25 lbs cylinder has dropped from $43.08 to $42.74, a decrease of 34 cents, while the 22 lbs cylinder will now cost $37.78, down from $38.07, which is 29 cents less. The new price of a 20 lbs cylinder is $34.34, 27 cents cheaper.
These adjustments in retail prices are due solely to changes in the CIF (cost, insurance and freight) of these refined products.
joycspring@gmail.com
Augier Combined to Remain Closed until Monday 18th April
ST. LUCIA: The Ministry of Education wishes to inform that the Augier Combined School will reopen for the Third Term of the academic year, on Monday 18th April 2016. The school will remain closed from April 11th to 15th, 2016 to allow for cleaning and sanitization of the buildings.
The school has been closed since the middle of March 2016, due to foul odour and other pollutants emanating from nearby chicken farms. However, a regime of cleaning and supervision of the farms has been agreed to in the interim, to minimize the level of pollutants and stench from those farms.
Meanwhile a meeting with parents of students attending the Augier Combined School has been scheduled for Wednesday April 13, 2016 from 4pm, in the Parish Hall of the Augier Roman Catholic Church.
Parents should also note that classes for the Grade 6 students preparing for the Common Entrance Examination will be held in the Parish Hall of the Augier Roman Catholic Church, from Monday April 11th to Friday April 15th, 2016. The classes commence at 9am.
Water interruption and update
ST. LUCIA: THE WATER AND SEWERAGE COMPANY INC. (WASCO) wishes to inform customers in the North, from Marisule to Cap Estate of a temporary interruption in their water supply due to a damage 14 inch mains is damaged near the Cas En bas Pumping Station. The water supply will be restored as soon as works are completed.
The Water and Sewerage Company Inc (WASCO) apologizes for any inconvenience this may caused.
WASCO…water is life! Committed to meeting customers’ needs.
Network Update- April 9th, 2016
The level of Reservoir at John Compton Dam has been recorded at 333.0 feet today, April 9th, 2016. This represents same level which was recorded yesterday April 8th, 2016. Level at the same date last year April 9th, 2015 was 333 feet.
Daily Water Schedule:
The Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO) wishes to advise of actions and schedule for communities in the Northern part of the island, for today Saturday 10th April 2016.
Network News:
The listed communities were supplied yesterday
Lower Ti- Chemin, Fond Assau, Chassin, Cabiche, Talvern & Hill 20
- La Borne Plateau
- Paix Bouche
- Des Rameaux, Ti Dauphin, Ravine MaCok and environs
- La Guerre
- Desableau
- Critical Actions for Today April 9th, 2016
- Fond Cannie and Cacoa will be supplied today
- Lower Ti Chemin, Fond Assau, Chassin, Cabiche, Talvern & Hill 20 are currently being supplied
- La Borne will continue to be supplied today
- Paix Bouche will be supplied today
- Plateau is currently being supplied
All other communities are being served, whilst we will maintain the supply of water to the aforementioned areas, there may be inconsistencies due to demand or damages which may occur on the lines.
WASCO ….water is life! Committed to meeting customers’ needs.
Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Appoints New Director of Membership Development
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) announced the appointment of Martha Valdivia as Director of Membership Development. Martha comes to the CHTA with a wealth of knowledge having worked with diverse stakeholders in the region in the fields of online marketing and distribution for over 10 years.
“We are very happy to have Martha join our team and look forward to Martha applying her previous knowledge, experience and background to assist the CHTA as we continue to evolve for the region, offering new opportunities for engagement, relevant benefits for all members and a joint voice for all stakeholders in the Caribbean,” says, Frank Comito, CEO and Director General of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.
The CHTA is committed to engaging current members and tourism industry stakeholders as it further enhances the benefits offered through the organization. The organization also seeks to add to its membership base in all destinations throughout the Caribbean, as more businesses become aware of its value and importance to the industry.
Martha has a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University and earned her MBA through Cornell’s IMHI-ESSEC joint degree program in Paris, France.
Hundreds of Buyers to Take Part in Expo Jamaica 2016
JAMAICA: Over 460 buyers and 350 exhibitors of Jamaican made products are expected to participate in Expo Jamaica 2016.
The trade show, scheduled for April 14 to 17, has grown significantly and will now be hosted in two venues – the National Arena and the National Indoor Sports Centre, in Kingston.
Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’, today (April 7), Executive Director of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), Imega Breese McNab, said there will be approximately 265 local buyers and others from some 26 countries, including Caribbean States, the United States and countries in Asia, at the event.
Mrs. McNab said the expo is getting bigger and better, with new buyers getting on board.
She noted that the expo, which is being staged for the 43rd time, is an excellent platform that allows buyers and exhibitors, locally and internationally, to interact and initiate business relationships to get authentic Jamaican products.
“We want it (expo) to continue to grow; everyone must get involved in Expo Jamaica 2016. If you are a wholesaler, manufacturer, distributor or even procurement manager and service provider, come to the show,” Mrs. McNab encouraged.
The Executive Director said Expo Jamaica has contributed greatly to Jamaica’s socio-economic development through job creation, earning of foreign exchange and contributing to Government revenues.
She is urging the public to attend the event, visit booths, and interact with exhibitors.
To be highlighted at the expo are: Art & Craft, Beverages (Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic), Business & Other Services, Chemicals, Construction, Cosmetics & Pharmaceuticals, Food & Agro/Fresh Produce/Processed Foods, Furniture & Bedding, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Minerals & Metals, Printing, Packaging & Labelling, Textile & Apparel.
The first two days will be geared at registered buyers only, after which the event will be opened to the public. The opening hours for the public are Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Expo Jamaica 2016 is being staged by the JMA and the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA), in partnership with Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).
More Research Needed In Alternative Energy
JAMAICA: Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology, Hilary Alexander, is calling on Jamaicans, particularly students, to conduct more research in the field of alternative energy.
She said these sets of research, which may yield positive results, will augur well for the country, especially in the application of new technology, and diversifying the country’s fuel mix, which will lead to fewer oil imports.
“Many opportunities are (there) to be explored, there is much potential in this country,” the Permanent Secretary said.
Ms. Alexander was speaking at the opening ceremony for the Jamaica Alternative Energy Exposition at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, in Kingston, on April 7.
She noted that in addition to the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), which is undertaking research in the area of biofuel, several persons are expressing an interest in renewable energy.
The Permanent Secretary said the Government is committed to moving the sector forward by advancing legislative and regulatory frameworks that will enable and sustain the growth of the industry.
“We are taking a multifaceted approach – modernising the electricity generation infrastructure, diversifying our fuel mix and strengthening regulations and the institutional arrangements, and promoting energy efficiency and conservation,” she noted.
Ms. Alexander said passage of the country’s new Electricity Act, which updated the 125-year-old Electricity Act, will also make it easier to bring new generating capacity to the power grid.
The new Act aims to provide a modern codified system for regulating the generation, transmission, supply, distribution and dispatch of electricity in the island.
“We have proceeded with implementing renewable energy solutions in the education and health sectors and we are reducing electricity consumption in the public sector by retrofitting the public sector itself,” she noted.
Ms. Alexander said the exposition has become a standard feature in the country’s energy landscape, which provides a forum for players in the market to explore new energy solution opportunities.
The Jamaica Alternative Energy Expo is organised by Events and Entertainment Limited and sponsored by the PCJ for the third consecutive year.
Approximately 40 exhibitors from local and international commercial, academic and Government entities involved in the energy industry are participating in the exposition.
The two-day event also features workshops and presentation sessions aimed at household energy consumers, business operators, students, academics and industry professionals as well as the general public.
Portsmouth in Spotlight for Infrastructural Upgrades
DOMINICA: The town of Portsmouth is once again enjoying the benefits of work done by the Government of Dominica.
In an interview with GIS News, Hon Member of Parliament for the Portsmouth Constituency, Ian Douglas, says he is elated by the ongoing work.
Hon Douglas spoke about minor road rehabilitation projects in different parts of the town like Chance and Zikack.
He added, “We have a major roadwork project ongoing right now and I want to thank the people of Portsmouth for their patience and understanding because the work began some time ago. The project was supposed to resurfaced Harbour Lane and Rodney Street. Harbour Lane was done.”
The MP says work on Rodney Street was delayed because of inclement weather conditions in that part of the island.
He adds that engineers and contractors met to discuss the way forward and work should resume on Rodney Street shortly.
“The project was delayed but we have sorted out the issues associated with that and the Ministry of Public Works has been in dialogue with the contractor. We should see the work resume in the next week or two.”
Hon Douglas gave some insight on road and drainage projects in Glanvillia.
“We want to complete the road surfacing which we have started in Glanvillia. In Georgetown, we are settling on the number of lots which we can get; then we have to do the infrastructure so the Planning and Surveys departments are to vsisit the site to [demarcate the roads].”
The Portsmouth Market is also one of the projects on the cards to be looked at. The Minister noted that the market is very important to the people of Portsmouth and environs. This is the reason why Government sees the need to enhance this facility.
“We want to do some work at the market for the vendors and butchers there. We want to get a small chiller for the fresh meat, tile the area and install some hard plastic chopping boards.
“We want to raise the ambience of the market to [complement] the Fisheries complex because the fishers really have a beautiful facility there.”
Hon Douglas says it’s a great feeling to be part of a Government that will continue to work to make the second town what it is expected to be.
“We are very happy with the progress that we have been able to make in the constituency. We continue to do the work; it’s an ongoing process because there is a lot more to be done.”
