The Government of Saint Lucia has initiated a comprehensive reclassification of the public service, aiming to modernise recruitment standards, align job roles with required skills and address long-standing concerns over fairness in promotions, particularly within the police, fire and correctional services.
Minister for the Public Service Virginia Albert-Poyotte confirmed that the initiative is a top government priority. Speaking at the pre-Cabinet press briefing, she acknowledged that the current classification system, implemented in 1992, is outdated and fails to meet the evolving demands of today’s workforce.
“You have a lot of areas where you appoint workers, but it does not really equate to the right skills, knowledge, abilities, and experience,” she explained.
“In this modern time, there are a lot of people who would apply for a job, and then they would ask you whether you have knowledge in certain areas of IT. That would not have been in the requirements for the job for 30-something years ago.”
Albert-Poyotte stressed that the reclassification would prioritise a holistic assessment of qualifications, moving beyond academic credentials alone. Having a degree doesn’t automatically qualify someone for a role if they lack the practical skills, experience, or ability to perform the duties effectively, she said.
A key focus of the reform will be reevaluating the classification and compensation of protective and essential services, including the police, fire service and Bordelais Correctional Facility.
With guidance from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the government now recognises fire officers as part of an “essential service” rather than the “protective services,” a shift that affects their categorisation and pay scales.
“We want to determine what grades they fall in, what salaries they should be paid based on the nature of the work that they do. We cannot equate them like any other public officer,” she said.
The minister also responded to concerns raised by the Fire Service Association regarding alleged favouritism and lack of transparency in promotions.
While some promotions fall under the discretion of department heads, such as the police commissioner or fire chief, those beyond certain grades require review by the Public Service Commission.
Albert-Poyotte noted persistent concerns within protective services about promotion practices, with long-standing rumours of favouritism. As a result, the government is considering a formal investigation.
“Once the fire service is serious about it, we may have to carry an investigation to see if what they are saying is really true, because we want transparency, fairness in the promotion of officers,” the public service minister said.
I was onced turned down for even getting to be interviewed for a public service job….they [the Public Service] told me that all applicants must be present in person for the interview!! This was only about 6 years ago…..and I was overseas! The public service Ministry needs uprooting,.replace the dinosaurs in there!
I hate to say this – but historically St. Lucia has not done well with fairness as far as required skills sets, experience/education in relation to employment. Personal story – I had graduated and passed several exams while I was in St. Lucia. I went for a job interview with the government and was required to take a typing test and a steno test and I was successful with both.
HOWEVER, I overheard the Manager/Person in Charge of the Department say – although she passed her grandmother is a ::::: (and she mentioned my grandmas political party) – therefore I can not give her job. Although I was not old enough to vote at that time – I was denied the job – simply because of my grandmas political affiliation. Within a few months thereafter I left St. Lucia and have lived abroad ever since that time. I went on the obtain both undergrad and graduate degrees in business and in the healthcare industry.
What the woman (who denied me the job) meant for evil subsequently worked in my favor and I am happy that I left St. Lucia – I am not certain how fairness and transparency in the job industry based on skills sets, experience etc. can be fixed in St. Lucia – it’s not what you know it’s who you know even if you can not write a simple sentence — and that is sad on every level – give the jobs to those who meet criteria and who qualify – period. Good luck.
Be sure to include Ministry of Agriculture.
Years since we got appraisals so many of us, favoritism is an understatement.
It’s about time!!! Hopefully staff will also have ongoing training to maintain, update and broaden their skills. And given higher duties from time to time when opportunities arise (staff Leave, resignations etc) so they can progress to higher levels, and have the experience to prove they can do it if they have demonstrated their ability. Most of all train the Public “servants” to be just that – a service to the public and to be respectful. Many of them are not. Also hold them to account ie disciplinary action if it is needed. Then there will be a better Public Service in St Lucia