Opposition Leader chastises Gov’t as Public Sector falls short on Employment with $3.4 million unspent

#TurksandCaicos, November 13, 2021 – Leader of the Opposition, Edwin Astwood is chastising the Government for employment positions not being filled in the public service, while some $3.4 million earmarked for salaries is unspent.

Speaking in the House of Assembly recently, the Opposition Leader noted that despite “many claims of extensive advertising” the vacancies are not being filed, declaring that if Ministries and Departments of Government can function with vacant positions for up to eight months, the question must be answered as to whether they are necessary.

“We are seeing some 64 vacant positions in the Police Force, with 20 of those post being actively recruited at this moment, I spoke to many persons who had applied for jobs in the public service, and for the most part, they heard nothing back,” Mr. Astwood said.

Adding that “headlines are flaunting” a record number of job openings, both in the public and private sectors, and that Government Ministers have “boasted” in the House of Assembly, about the number of jobs in the public service, he underscored that many employers, including the Government, “are saying they are doing everything in their power to entice potential employees.

“Persons who are seeking jobs, and those looking for better jobs, the situation just does not make sense. There is an incongruity between what they are hearing about jobs, and what is actually happening” he told the House, noting that questions have been asked about applicants’ experience.

He reasoned that where Turks Islanders have the experience and skills set, they should be promoted to positions, and not subject to competition from persons outside of the Island, where the Islander is not “sufficiently qualified he/she can still be promoted on a probationary basis and encourage to pursue the necessary educational opportunities to upgrade him/herself,” Mr. Astwood said.

Continuing, the Opposition stressed that if job applicants are not given a chance in their own country, where in some departments over 50 per cent of the posts are expatriates, then they will never be experienced for employment placements, as when expatriates’ tenures end, locals are not moving up, and the posts will continue to be re advertised and persons from outside are recruited.

“What should happen is that for every position that has an expatriate, there should be a Turks Islander shadowing that person, so by the time he/she leaves, the local will have the experience and the skill sets to do the job,” he said.