1,756 New Gov’t Posts Created

A total of 1,756 new government positions have been created, according to Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams.

Speaking during Wednesday’s (November 27) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Mrs. Williams said these include 1,105 posts that have been added to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

This, she pointed out, is to formalise excess staffing capacity for civilian employees, in accordance with a Cabinet decision.

“This will increase the levels of job security and access to certain employees, in terms of benefits, health and pension, which will boost morale and reduce the likelihood of staff upheaval,” Mrs. Williams said.

She also advised that 452 new posts were created for the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, in addition to the reclassification and upgrade of additional posts.

“This was done as a result of an organisational review, which was conducted with the aim of streamlining operations and productivity within the local offices and the head office of the Ministry,” Mrs. Williams said.

She noted that the additional staffing capacity is expected to improve inspection, compliance and general revenue-generation capacity, improve data tracking and records management, strengthen the customer service framework and enhance communication between the Labour Ministry and citizens at points of contact.

“We also established 199 new posts with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to address inefficiencies in the public health system, due to the growing demand for healthcare services that we are seeing,” the Minister said.

The addition of posts was done under the Civil Service Establishment General Order 2024, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on November 26.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Williams informed that during her tenure at the Ministry of Education and Youth, there were 4,720 permanently established posts for educational institutions.

These, she pointed out, were created earlier this year as part of the overall thrust to ensure that persons are working within posts.

“The total of 4,720 represent individuals who would have been working in the school system for decades but they were working temporarily and would not have been appointed to a permanent post, until the Cabinet decision had addressed that matter. So, I’m pleased that we continue to work to positively impact the lives of Jamaicans,” Mrs. Williams said.