Civil Service Week Starts Sunday

KINGSTON — A series of activities have been planned in observance of National Civil Service Week, November 20 to 26, under the theme, "Civil Servants- Repositioning for National Development."

Activities for the week have been organized by the Civil Service Steering Committee (CSSC), comprised of employees of various ministries, departments and agencies within the sector.

Speaking at a JIS Think Tank Wednesday (November 16), Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) board member, Beverley Edwards, noted that the weeklong activities will highlight the work of civil servants, as well as Government's plans and proposals for the civil service.

Commenting on the activities, Acting Director of Employee Relations in the Office of the Cabinet and Chairman of the CSSC, Erica Barnes, said that a church service will be held on Sunday, November 20 at the Mona Baptist Church, starting at 10.15 a.m., to start the week.

Civil Service Week, however, will officially be launched on Monday, November 21 at the Penthouse of the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Heroes Circle starting at 3 p.m.

Miss Barnes also noted that about 40 entities will participate in an exhibition on Tuesday, November 22, at Emancipation Park in Kingston, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Some of these entities include the Registrar General's Department (RGD), the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) and the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ).

Main highlight of the week is an awards ceremony honouring over 170 long-serving civil servants on Wednesday, November 23, at King's House, commencing at 2.30 p.m.

Several primary and secondary school students will also participate in a quiz competition at the Medallion Hall Hotel, Kingston on Thursday, November 24, beginning at 10 a.m.

Civil servants are also invited to the "After Work Lyme" at the Civilian Amenities Centre at Up Park Camp, on Friday, November 25 at 5 pm. Also on Friday, there will also be a Celebrity Luncheon at the Coral Cliff, Montego Bay, hosted by the JCSA's Regional Office, starting at noon.

The activities will end Saturday, November 26, with a church service at the Hagley Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Kingston, starting at 10 a.m.

By Toni-Ann Russell, JIS Public Relation Officer