XN000022-1993-11-24 — Page 8

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993

VAST THAT IN

FINALLY ON THIS SUBJECT, LET US NOT FORGET THAT FOR THE MAJORITY OF CIVIL SERVANTS LOCALISATION IS A DEAD ISSUE. ITSELF IS A MEASURE OF THE PROGRESS WHICH HAS BEEN MADE OVER THE YEARS.

MORALE

THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES WHICH HAVE CAUGHT THE PUBLIC EYE RECENTLY WHICH HAVE ALSO BEEN PORTRAYED BY SOME AS SHOWING, THAT THERE IS CURRENTLY AN UNUSUAL DEGREE OF STRIFE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE. FRANKLY THE GULF BETWEEN THESE PORTRAYALS AND REALITY DOES NOTHING FOR THE CREDIBILITY OF THOSE WHO MAKE SUCH CLAIMS.

I BELIEVE THAT THE "OPERATIONAL MORALE”, IF I MAY USE THAT PHRASE, AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS REMAINS EXTREMELY HIGH. DESPITE INCREASING WORKLOADS AND THE PRESSURES, CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE RISEN, TIME AND AGAIN, TO THE CHALLENGE AND HAVE SHOWN A HIGH DEGREE OF PROFESSIONALISM, CONSCIENTIOUSNESS AND INTEGRITY IN CARRYING OUT THEIR WORK. AND HERE I COULD SAY THAT CONTRARY ΤΟ A WIDELY HELD MISCONCEPTION, THE WASTAGE RATE FROM RESIGNATIONS, ETC. IN THE CIVIL SERVICE IS AT AN ALMOST HISTORIC LOW POINT. FAR LOWER THAN THE RATE NORMALLY EXPERIENCED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. PEOPLE ARE QUEUING UP TO JOIN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THEY ARE NOT IN A HURRY TO LEAVE. SO KE MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

-

AS FOR GENERAL MORALE THE "FEEL GOOD" FACTOR AS THE AMERICANS MIGHT PUT IT - THIS DEPENDS ON MUCH MORE THAN A FEW ISSUES. IT DEPENDS ON THE COMPETENCE OF MANAGEMENT IN LEADING AND SUPPORTING THEIR STAFF AND IN MEETING THEIR EVERY DAY LEGITIMATE NEEDS AND DESIRES.

L

TRYING

HERE WE HAVE, AGAIN, DONE AND ARE DOING A GREAT DEAL IN TO FOSTER HARMONY AND TO SATISFY THE LEGITIMATE DESIRES OF CIVIL SERVANTS. I HOPE MEMBERS WILL FORGIVE ME IF I RECITE A LIST FROM JUST RECENT MEMORY A SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT THINGS WHICH WE HAVE DONE. SOME OF THEM NOT SO SMALL I MAY SAY

+

-

FIRST OF ALL, A PACKAGE INTRODUCED IN MAY 1992 HAS VERY SUCCESSFULLY ADDRESSED THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROBLEMS OF JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS.

IN THE AREA OF MEDICAL AND DENTAL BENEFITS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS WE HAVE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF DENTAL CHAIRS AND WILL HAVE A NEW FAMILIES CLINIC IN 1994.

LAST YEAR WE INCREASED FLEXIBILITY IN THE USE OF LEAVE AND PASSAGE ALLOWANCES. WE ALSO GAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR THE LONG SERVICE TRAVEL SCHEME.

|

WE HAVE DONE MUCH IN THE STAFF RELATIONS; TO GIVE ONE OR TWO EXAMPLES, WE INTRODUCED A RETIREMENT SOUVENIR IN 1992; AND WE INCREASED THE CEILING FOR AWARDS UNDER THE STAFF SUGGESTION SCHEME IN 1991; AND INCREASED THE MAXIMUM UNDER THE STAFF RELIEF FUND;

GRANT

+

PERHAPS A GOOD REFLECTION OF STAFF RELATIONS AND MORALE THE TURN OUT OF 12,000 CIVIL SERVANTS FOR THE CHARITY LAST MONTH WHERE WE RAISED OVER $9 MILLION FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST.

WAS

WALK

/IN 1990