Mottley announces permanent appointments for more than 2,000 public officers

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced what she described as an early Christmas gift for public officers, revealing that more than 2,000 workers will soon receive confirmation of permanent appointment to Barbados’ Public Service.

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Leading debate in the House of Assembly on the Public Service (Appointments) Bill 2025, Mottley said 2,095 public officers stand to benefit. Of that total, 1,170 temporary employees who meet eligibility requirements will be confirmed in their posts, while 925 officers currently serving in acting positions will be formally promoted to their substantive roles.

Mottley also signalled that discussions will continue on additional compensation and improved conditions of service for frontline workers, including teachers, police officers and nurses.

However, Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne cautioned that the appointments alone would not resolve what he described as ongoing “turbulence” within the public service. Thorne criticised the government for what he termed the “planting” of individuals at the head of several departments on three-year contracts, arguing that the lack of security of tenure undermines independence and weakens accountability.

He contended that such arrangements risk making senior officials more responsive to ministerial direction than to the principles of a professional and impartial public service.

Debate on the bill is continuing in Parliament, with permanent appointments expected to take effect on January 1. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Dale Marshall has made clear that not all public officers will qualify for confirmation under the legislation.

Addressing the House, Marshall pointed to Section 6 of the bill, which outlines categories of ineligible employees. He said individuals facing pending disciplinary matters, ongoing criminal cases, or unexpunged criminal convictions will not benefit from the appointments.

He added that officers on medical leave for three months or more, or those whose personnel records contain negative reports or findings of misconduct, will also be excluded.

Marshall said the bill also excludes members of the Barbados Police Service and the Barbados Prison Service from automatic appointment, citing the “particular nature” of those services.

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However, he noted that police officers are again benefitting from flexi-time payments for overtime work and said the entire public service, including the police, will undergo a comprehensive re-grading exercise.

“I’m quite sure that in 2026 we will have an environment where the police service will see themselves benefiting from far better salary scales than they currently benefit from,” Marshall said, noting that the police budget has been increased annually since the Barbados Labour Party administration took office in 2018.

Marshall also addressed the transition of special constables to full police constables, saying they are now placed on a structured stream that allows for salary increments and promotion opportunities.