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Move to streamline Government employment structure

Friday, 15 March 2013

CHIEF Minister Allan Bell MHK has announced that there will be a public consultation on a proposal to modernise Government’s employment structures.

It is proposed to establish a Public Services Commission which would bring civil servants and manual/craft workers together under one employing authority, and would support Government’s policy of increasing efficiency and reducing bureaucracy.  It will also act as a catalyst for culture change and the drive to encourage innovation and empowerment as articulated in the ‘Agenda for Change’.

The initiative is to be taken forward by Civil Service Commission chairman Mr Alfred Cannan MHK. There will be a public consultation on the proposal with a view to legislative drafting instructions being ready for consideration by the Council of Ministers by the end of July this year.

The Chief Minister explained:

‘The Public Services Commission would be an employment body with a mandate to deliver consistent policies across a workforce of more than 4,000 – around half of all central Government staff.  It would facilitate simplification of employment structures, the harmonisation of terms and conditions and enhance our ability to redeploy staff to meet Government’s priorities and changing circumstances.’

Mr Bell added: ‘A Public Services Commission would also provide the opportunity to both streamline and modernise collective bargaining arrangements.’

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