Jul 08 - GGCA Raises Criticism Of Chief Minister's Budget Address Regarding Civil Servants
The Executive Committee of the GGCA says it notes with disappointment the exhortation recently made to civil servants by the Chief Minister, and endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce “to be ready to do more, go further, work harder” and “be more efficient”.
A spokesman for the GGCA said: "There are many civil servants who already go well and above the call of duty in service of the public with little to no recognition or acknowledgement.
"In many areas throughout the civil service, existing staff have been carrying the burden of vacant posts. In the many instances of this nature, the staff cannot possibly 'do more!'
"The GGCA believes that such a call can only arise from prejudice brought about by the mythical stereotype of the lazy, uncooperative civil servant. Such stereotypes have no basis in reality and do a great disservice to the vast majority of civil servants who already work hard and very efficiently."
The GGCA would also like to remind the Chamber of Commerce that there exists a parallel stereotype of the rich, grasping employer who over-works and underpays his employees and has no consideration whatsoever for their well-being. The GGCA says these stereotypes "have no basis in reality, and reinforcing such belief systems is negative for the business sector and for our community in general."
The statement continued: "However, the Chamber of Commerce asserts that it has been 'lobbying the Government strongly not to increase social insurance costs' The purpose of social insurance is to protect vulnerable employees in times of need – clearly it is essential to all workers in Gibraltar. The Chamber wants to 'work with the Government to review and overhaul the social insurance system'. Such a review would need to be undertaken in conjunction with all unions in Gibraltar, to ensure that no protections afforded to the vulnerable are lost or weakened, but rather bolstered and enhanced.
"The Chamber also takes a positive view of the fact that the compulsory pension scheme for the private sector has not been implemented. The fact is that on the state pension alone the elderly cannot have a dignified old age. We need to guard against the danger that, in future, a glaring inequality might well be created between wealthy employers and employees on minimum wages and no pensions."
Whilst the GGCA says it is fully in agreement with the Chamber’s call to both public and private sectors “to work in tandem for the common purpose of Gibraltar’s continued economic success”, it feels that there can be no celebration of ‘economic success’ in a community where so many workers do not have occupational pension schemes and will face financial difficulties in their later, most vulnerable years.
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