Contribution of Civil Service to GDP Highlighted

Deputy Financial Secretary of the Strategic Human Resources Management Division in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Wayne Jones, says the immense contribution of the civil service to Jamaica’s gross domestic product (GDP) must not be underestimated by the general public.

Speaking at the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) Western Region celebratory luncheon and awards ceremony at the Wexford Court Hotel in Montego Bay on November 20, Mr. Jones cited the macroeconomic numbers, which he said prove that the civil service has been contributing to GDP growth.

He also noted that the Government is celebrating another very successful year in terms of the performance of the public sector.

“Quality public service is more than just the delivery of service to the so-called taxpaying public. And I must remind that we as public officers are a significant part of that taxpaying public,” Mr. Jones emphasised.

“The public sector is also a net consumer of goods and services in any economy. It spends far more on the consumption of goods and services than any other sector in your economy. And, therefore, we are a significant contributor to GDP and to any growth that our economy is going to realise. We must understand that within that context, we are not nonentities,” he added.

Mr. Jones said the Government is committed to working with and continuing its partnership with public-sector workers, and taking care of their interests and well-being.

He urged civil servants to “stand up and be counted” in any related debates, by advancing the arguments about their role and importance to national development and growth, not only as members of the public sector but as citizens of Jamaica.

“We in the Ministry, which is responsible for the public service, seek every opportunity to help in that effort of educating and reminding our public that we do, in fact, work hard; we work smart; we work efficiently and effectively, recognising that there are more areas that require improvements and require those improvements swiftly,” he added.

The JCSA presented eight awards to members of the respective parish associations in western Jamaica, during the ceremony. The awardees were Ann Small and Keneisha Robinson of Trelawny; Marvaline Jones and Brandon Clarke, Hanover; Shara-Lou Porter and Christine Perry, Westmoreland; and Fiona Banton and Petrina Hudson, St. James.