Public Sector: Discontent Rises Over Temporary Positions

Numerous public sector employees have been working in "acting" roles for months, even over a year. Unions are denouncing this situation, linking it to a lack of planning and a discouraging form of exploitation for the staff.

Whether in ministries, various public departments, or the National Assembly, many employees have held "acting" positions for several months or even over a year. This situation is burdensome for some, while others refuse to take on additional responsibilities without adequate compensation, which can take months to receive, just like overtime pay.

For instance, the National Assembly has an Acting Clerk, the Director General of Health Services is also acting, and in several hospitals, staff are filling in for absent holders.

According to Gheerishsing Gopaul, Secretary General of the Government Services Employees Association, this situation arises from a lack of personnel. He emphasizes that employees find themselves in roles that do not match their qualifications or their "scheme of duty."

In the public service, he reminds us, each position is defined by a "scheme of service." A person occupying a position that is not theirs should receive a responsibility allowance or an acting allowance. However, this is not always the case. To "make things work," many still accept these responsibilities, explains Gheerishsing Gopaul. Some see this as a form of exploitation, especially when they haven’t received an official assignment letter.

For Gheerishsing Gopaul, transferring an employee from one department to another is not a sustainable solution. Hiring requires a budget and precise procedures to identify vacant positions. However, in the last budget, provisions were only made for recruiting nurses and doctors. Without a budget for other positions, the system is stuck.

"Tug of War"

Dr. Meetheelesh Abeeluck, President of the Government Medical and Dental Officers Association, refers to a real "tug of war" regarding certain position confirmations. According to him, a game of "musical chairs" is underway to determine who will be confirmed.

Dr. Abeeluck and Ram Nowzadick, President of the Nursing Association, advocate for urgent regularization so that work can proceed properly. They point out that those in acting roles do not receive the salary corresponding to the permanent position. It is only after two years of acting that payment becomes automatic, with retroactive effect.

According to Dr. Abeeluck, a person in an acting role does not have the freedom to act. "An acting person will not make decisions because they are in a weak position. There is always the fear of being viewed unfavorably or losing the acting role if the administration is not satisfied." Some, he adds, are also hesitant to seek support from their union, which may sometimes conflict with their current duties. This situation, he believes, hinders the smooth running of the service and the evolution of the system.

Ram Nowzadick agrees, lamenting the lack of motivation in a context where most positions are held by acting personnel. He believes the problem stems from the human resources department, which does not provide directives for recruitment. "Some haven’t received their responsibility allowance for one or two years." Frustrations are growing, and this lack of organization is reflected in some refusing to take on acting roles, disrupting personnel management, supervision, and room administration. "There are more acting roles than permanent holders."

A hospital staff member confides that as an "acting" employee, she takes on all responsibilities of the position while losing certain privileges, like overtime pay, due to her new schedule. "I am accountable for everything that happens, without being compensated," she laments. Many, she says, are now refusing these acting roles because of these constraints.

A Dialogue that is Slowly Resuming

The climate seems to have calmed between the Minister of Health and hospital staff after several weeks of tension. During the ceremony for the induction of 300 nursing trainees, Minister Anil Bachoo expressed satisfaction with the work of many doctors and departments while condemning "a small group" that seeks to create problems.

While the lack of meetings between ministry officials and unions remains a point of contention, the minister's tone now seems better received. "We believe he has understood how difficult the work is when staff is lacking and those on duty are worn out after accumulated overtime," explains Dr. Meetheelesh Abeeluck.

According to him, the minister would have been "poorly guided" by his entourage, who may have given him false information to conceal certain shortcomings. He calls for better coordination between departments to ensure the smooth functioning of the system.