Public Service Orders Review

Introduction and rationale

Public service work is increasingly more complex and fast-paced, requiring greater innovation, more horizontal cooperation across ministries, departments and parastatal organisations, and the need for building stronger, more strategic partnerships with the private and voluntary sectors.

The Seychelles public service also has to compete for talent in an increasingly tight labour market. The accelerated pace of change due to globalization and technological advances will continue to challenge the public service's innovative capacity, underscoring the need for flexible and adaptable human resources management strategies.

The Seychelles Public Service as a progressive and modern employer has to respond to the changing needs of its employees and its managers and modernize its human resources management practices. It is entering a new era characterized by an increasing emphasis on values and ethics. Further, the needs of the public are changing and the public service must adapt to them.

It is with this consideration in mind that the Ministry of Administration and Manpower Development is currently reviewing the Public Service Orders (1996) - the guiding administrative framework within which Government organisations operate. Its scope includes the Organisation of Government, the structure of the public service, personnel management, salary structures, and policies on a range of subjects such as staff accommodation, training, allowances and employment benefits.

The current review will take into consideration the following:

• the Orders are in need of updating if only to take account of new legislation and changes in policy as announced through Circulars issued over the years (1996 to 2004).
• the need to delegate more authority, with a corresponding increase in accountability, to Chief Executives of public sector organisations.
• to enable Government to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, thereby enhancing the timeliness and effectiveness of its service delivery, in accordance with the aspirations of the vision statements outlined by Government in November 2001.
• the new Orders will set guidelines which are sufficiently clear and precise for Chief Executives to take timely action in a manner which also reflects fairness and consistency in the business of Government.
• consideration must also be given to appropriate sanctions to be taken against failure to act in accordance within agreed frameworks.

Your comments

· Comments and proposals are being sought from all Public Service Organisations. If you are a public sector employee, contact the person in charge of the Administration Division or the person in charge of Personnel in your organization to give in your comments. You have until 31 May 2004 to do so.

· Alternatively, just click on PSO above to view a copy of the present PSO and download a copy of the feedback form and email or fax us your feedback on the address below.

· If you prefer, hard copies of the PSO are available at the National Library along with copies of the comment forms. The comment forms should reach us no later than 4^th June 2004.