The System is Broken

 

On a recent GBC Viewpoint program the panelists discussed the issue of employment in Gibraltar. There were representatives from the Chamber, GFSB and two unions who each put their points across very well. It wasn’t long before the age-old rivalry between the public sector and the private sector reared its head. That argument has always divided Gibraltar; it’s on the street, at family gatherings and it’s all over social media. The minute anyone complains about ‘The Civil Service’ then someone pipes up about how the equivalent position in the private sector earns a much higher wage. Those comparison junkies are very selective as although it may be the case in some so-called ‘high-end’ professions the same cannot be said for the regular secretary, admin person or cleaner. If one compares those roles then the civil servant gets an extremely good deal. Wages are higher in many cases up to 40% more than their counterparts in the UK, their hours are less, they get summer hours, more paid sick leave and of course the job is ring-fenced meaning that if they are unsuited for their role, off sick a lot, or break rules they can simply be moved to another department; good or bad they all have a job for life. The downside of this for them is that they can also be moved away from a role where they excel on the whim of a spiteful Minister. Wendy Cumming from the public sector union admirably held her argument but recognised that the sector she represents needs a serious overhaul. She explained how she carried out a report in all departments asking the staff themselves how things could be improved. She sent the findings of her report to Minister Bossano and it has sat on his desk ever since. Great.

Everyone knows that e-gov is the way forward and this was proved during the pandemic when counter services were closed. However there are now rumours circulating about civil servants still working from home, that the IT is not up to scratch so there’s a huge back-log in medical appointments, ID card renewals and many other services. What plan does the government have to rectify this impasse? Why is there such a gaping divide between those who ‘work for government’ and everyone else? We all know about people who get ‘plugged-in’ to jobs via family and friends, others who get massive pay-offs to keep quiet about some Ministerial faux pas, and those who retire on massive pensions but then get brought back in as consultants on a huge wage. There are also former MPs who mysteriously get employed into ‘positions’ which are created just for them. Meanwhile, at the lower-end of the scale many civil servants are not happy; they see all these instances of corruption, nepotism, and bad practice. They are the ones who have to work alongside the plug-ins who are rarely at their desks but get triple the pay. These workers have to put-up-or-shut up when a Minister loses their temper and humiliates them. Some government offices are in a very poor state of repair; no air-con in the summer or leaking roofs and damp in the winter; any minor complaint has to be run through a series of people before anyone can even buy a can of cockroach spray! Gibraltar is tired of this toxic rivalry between public and private sector workers and governments seem to play on this rivalry and use it to their advantage.

All workers in Gibraltar should be treated equally with the same rules and standards as a basic foundation of fair employment. The GHA staff are notoriously underpaid add to that the jiggery-pokery around the notorious 4-year-contract which totally discriminates against non-local workers. The system is broken but some sensible organisation and forward-thinking could bring on positive change to the benefit of all. Counters should be open until 5pm where necessary and introduce flexi-hours to cover this. Government should be investing heavily in students who study IT, Human Resources and People Management. The civil service is a vital piece of machinery which makes our society tick over, we must listen to them and carry out serious reforms which will in-turn benefit everyone. Minister Bossano needs to dust off Wendy’s report and heed her advice, roll up his sleeves and take some positive action!