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Public Sector Transformation

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The current national and global imperatives have impelled the Government of Jamaica to accelerate the modernisation and Restructuring of the public sector to become leaner, more efficient, flexible, responsive and accountable. The rationalization of the public sector will demand a radical restructuring of established organizations and systems, including a review of their mandates and related objectives, introduction of incentives, development of an accountability framework, decentralization of authority and rationalization of the organizational culture.

(Ministry Paper No. 114 - Strategy for Restructuring the Public Sector)

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About the Transformation of the Jamaican Public Sector

Cabinet’s decision in November 2009 has as its main objective the restructuring of the Public Sector through the introduction of new governance modalities, the rationalization and streamlining of functions across government and the implementation of new structures, systems and processes to increase productivity and cost-effectiveness within Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The thrust is towards catalyzing and supporting key initiatives across the Sector, both on-going and new initiatives, by prioritizing and focusing resources on critical areas to realize the expected changes within the Sector. 

In transforming the Public Sector, careful consideration was given to the role, core functions and priorities of Government. This was guided by the nine areas articulated by the former Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, in Parliament on September 30, 2009. He noted that Government should provide: 

  1. A safe, healthy and secure environment.
  2. Effective and accessible justice system.
  3. Good quality education system.
  4. Access to basic health care.
  5. Social welfare support for the disadvantaged and vulnerable.
  6. Public infrastructure and related services.
  7. Efficient public bureaucracy.
  8. An appropriate policy environment and regulatory mechanisms.
  9. Effective diplomacy.

The determination of the core functions of Government was informed by an understanding of “what Government should do and pay for; what government must pay for, but does not have to do; and what Government should not do and should not pay for” (Osborne and Plastrik, 1997). Importantly, the transformation of Jamaica’s Public Sector is being guided by the imperative for a Jamaican Public Sector that is service oriented, results-based and guided by appropriate accountability mechanisms and which, therefore, provides an enabling environment for the achievement of Vision 2030 Jamaica - National Development Plan: “Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business.”

For more information about Jamaica's Public Sector click here. 

The transformation of Jamaica’s Public Sector is based on the recommendations contained in the Public Sector Master Rationalisation Plan (MRP). The MRP was tabled in Parliament as a Green Paper on July 20, 2010, and approved by Cabinet on May 2, 2011. The MRP is now a White Paper that expresses the policy for transforming the Public Sector.

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Goals of the Transformation

The overarching goals of the transformation of Jamaica’s Pubic Sector are:

  1. A smooth transition to a transformed Public Sector through change in ideas, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours.
  2. An enabling environment for effective governance.
  3. An effective Accountability Framework.
  4. Performance-based management.
  5. Quality Customer service - improvement in service delivery.
  6. Proper resource management.
  7. Integrated, compatible Information Systems.
  8. The optimum size of the Public Sector for efficiency.
  9. Reduction in the cost of Public Sector to below 10% of GDP by 2011.

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Guiding Principles of the Transformation

In working towards reaching the goals of the transformation, the Public Sector Transformation Unit (PSTU), the Unit created to facilitate the transformation of the Public Sector, will be guided by some key principles:

  1. All staff will be treated with dignity and respect.
  2. Clear, equitable and principled guidelines will be developed for handling all aspects of the transition for staff.
  3. There will be meaningful consultation with Stakeholders.
  4. Strategies will be implemented to ensure that the many social partners are fully engaged.
  5. There will be regular communication at all levels.
  6. Decisions will be evidence based.
  7. On-going reform initiatives will be acknowledged and integrated.

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Learn more about Jamaica's Public Sector »