In a letter to Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, State and Other Employees Federation (SOEF) President Radhakrishna Sadien warns the government of the frustration, which is likely to arise in the Service as a result of the appointment of Deputy Permanent Secretary (DPS), which is done by selection. He points out that in a letter dated 2016, the Prime Minister’s office had proposed that the appointment of DPSs be made on merit rather than selection.
“The federation had welcomed this proposal because selection leads to frustration especially when a junior is appointed to the position of DPS,” argues the SOEF president. He is now surprised to learn that the Pay Research Bureau (PRB) has indicated in its latest report that, after consultations with management, it has proposed to appoint DPSs by selection from among the Assistant Permanent Secretaries with a degree and six years of experience.
For SOEF, the PRB has taken a unilateral decision in violation of Conventions 87, 198 and 154 on Freedom of Expression. “The federation firmly believes that any proposed reversion to the previous mode of appointment of five years after its amendment would generate an atmosphere of frustration and demotivation,” writes Radhakrishn Sadien in the letter. He asked for a meeting with the head of government to discuss the issue.
