A total of 42 persons at the Office of the President (OP) who provided services in relation to National Policy Development Presidential Advisory Services were fired by the PPP/C Government when it took office.
In 2020, there were 135 contracted employees under this programme but in 2021, this number was reduced to 89, a 46-person reduction. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, during consideration of Budget 2021 estimates on Tuesday, said that the reduction was due to three resignations, one death and 42 persons who were sent home.
Those fired included: Senior Confidential Secretary, Political Assistant, Personal Assistant to the Minister of State, Confidential Secretary, Administrative Assistant to the Minister of State, Special Advisor to the Minister of Social Cohesion, Secretary, Special Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Political Assistant, Director General, Administrative Officer, Financial Officer at the Office of Climate Change (OCC), a driver, Executive Assistant Receptionist, Project Manager and Finance Officer at the Prime Minister’s Office, Operations Manager, Ministerial Advisor, Operations and Admin Assistant, Senior Administrative Assistant to Presidential Advisor on the environment, Searcher, Transcriber, Receptionist, Secretary, Vehicle Driver, Green Tourism Officer, Communication Specialist, Public Relations Officer, Senior Advisor to the President, Environmental photo videographer and Head of the OCC, Regional Community Development Officer, Research Assistant, Ministerial Advisor on Constitution Reform and Head of the Office of Public Parks. Meanwhile, the Senior Political Advisor, Head of the Political Division and the former Administrative Officer resigned while a vehicle driver died.
While Harmon then queried about the replacement of the fired individuals and the salaries being received, Teixeira said that no one under the aforementioned programme has been replaced.
The Opposition Leader also queried about the removal of 6 temporary employees in 2021 from a total of 9 in 2020. However, Teixeira informed him that the individuals were not terminated but transferred to a different programme.
