GUINEA-BISSAU
Angry PS strikes over wages
Guinea-Bissau Public Servants have gone on strike demanding an increase in the minimum wage and better working conditions in the strife-torn African country.
The National Union of Workers of Guinea-Bissau (UNTG) wants the minimum wage, which applies to most of its members, raised from CFA19,200 (A$46) a month to 59,000 CFA (A$141).
The union expressed anger that nothing had been done to address public sector salaries, while MPs and Ministers had recently voted themselves substantial increases.
It was especially incensed at reports that each of the 102 legislators was to receive a four-wheel-drive vehicle out of state funds.
Bissau, 28 July 2018
NEW ZEALAND
Deadline set to end gender gap
The New Zealand Government has put the Public Service on notice that it must end the gender pay gap in its ranks by 2020.
Minister for Women, Julie Anne Genter and Minister for State Services, Chris Hipkins said they were taking action to end the existing 12.5 per cent pay gap between men and women.
Ms Genter said allowing flexible working hours was just as important as the pay issue.
“We will change the default setting from ‘no’ to ‘yes’,” Ms Genter said.
Wellington, 27 July 2018
BENIN
PS doctors to resign
Beninese Public Service doctors have been given an ultimatum: resign from the service or stop spending large parts of their time working at private clinics.
The Government said it was giving the doctors until 30 August to make a choice, saying their action was causing “serious consequences on the quality of care in many hospitals”.
In a further move, the Government said it would not consider any new permits to open private clinics and would revoke those pending until further notice.
It accused the doctors of forcing patients to pay for treatment at private clinics because of their absence at public hospitals, saying the health service was being privatised via the back door.
Porto-Novo, 28 July 2018
NORTHERN IRELAND
No appeal for incinerator decision
The Northern Ireland Public Service has confirmed it does not plan to appeal to the Supreme Court over a judgment preventing the development of a waste incinerator in the Province.
The ruling has been confirmed by the Court of Appeal and could have significant implications for other decisions taken by PS staff in the absence of a functioning Provincial Government.
The High Court ruled that senior PS employee Peter May had no power to approve the planning application for the waste incinerator in the absence of a Government.
Northern Ireland has been without a Government since the power-sharing institutions collapsed in January 2017.
Belfast, 31 July 2018
MOROCCO
PS reminded of people’s needs
The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI has urged his Public Service to be more aware of the needs of the people.
In a speech marking the nineteenth anniversary of his accession to the throne, the King called for a timetable for the implementation of social programs.
“I invite the Government and all relevant actors to undertake a comprehensive and deep restructuring of national social protection and support programs and policies and to submit proposals for their evaluation,” King Mohammed said.
This included “a national system of registration of families to benefit from social support programs” and a “comprehensive and deep restructuring” of existing programs.
Rabat, 1 August 2018
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
Council backs PS media
The Council of Europe has reaffirmed its belief that Public Service media is essential in upholding the fundamental right of freedom of expression, enabling people to seek and receive information, and promoting the values of democracy, diversity and social cohesion.
The Council, which exists to uphold the rule of law on the Continent, said Public Service media delivered a “vital contribution” in the modern media environment.
However, it faced a number of challenges, “such as securing the right level of independence from those holding economic and political power, securing appropriate funding, adapting to the digital age and maintaining high editorial standards in a competitive market”, the Council said.
Strasbourg, 2 August 2018
