And the president of the Public Service Union spoke to us about the recent transfer of clerks from the Immigration Department. Rumours have said that as many as 11 were transferred, but on Friday Amandala quoted six as cited by the Industrial Relations Officer at the PSU who reported on the transfer of second class clerks, first class clerks and a data entry operator. Today the Union President told us the transfers are ill-planned and ill-advised:..
Mervin Blades, President - PSU
"What are concerned about is that they are being transferred while the investigation is pending. That is one of the things that we have an issue with, also the Prime Minister mentioned that the Auditor General will be doing her investigation. I am pretty those clerks will be needed for that investigation. Why is it so important to move them now?"
"The other thing that we have a concern with is that the Minister publicly states that the Cabinet approved the transfer. It is not the remit of the Cabinet to approve transfers. The Public Service Commission does that. That's not the remit for the Cabinet and so in that case what does the Cabinet know what's the best interest of a public officer."
"Also, transfers must not be for punitive measures; you can't transfer anybody to punish them. If these people are there for you to transfer to punish them then that is a no no. that should have never had happen."
The PSU is encouraging staffers who are being transferred to reach out to the union before the transfers are effected.
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