“Another Highly Compensated Job Is Created”

January 17, 2018

[Updated] “Out of the blue, another highly compensated job is created which looks like moving the current Cabinet Secretary in an effort to have a political appointment,” former Premier Michael Dunkley said, adding that “since July 2017, we have seen more jobs added to the government ranks with no known efficiencies or cost savings.”

Mr Dunkley’s comments follow after the Government said that in an “effort to place a sharper focus on Public Service Reform,” the posts of Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service will be separated.

Dr. Derrick Binns will continue as the Head of the Civil Service, while the role of Secretary to the Cabinet will be filled, with Government confirming that both posts are graded at PS 50, so the salary is $209,894.19.

“In accordance with the Constitution, the Governor has invited the Public Service Commission [PSC] to commence the process to fill the role of Secretary to the Cabinet. The aim is to conclude the process later this month,” the Government said earlier this week.

Michael Dunkley Bermuda Jan 16 2018

Former Premier Michael Dunkley said, “Out of the blue, the PLP Government has announced that the posts of Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service will be separated. It was not in their election platform of promises nor was it in their Throne Speech.

“In fact the PLP 2017 Platform committed to the opposite when they said they would review the SAGE Commission’s recommendations regarding the consolidation of government departments and ministries to implement cost savings. They have in fact done just the opposite by increasing the number of government ministries when SAGE recommended a reduction!

“Bermudians should not forget the public comments by the current Premier supporting privatization and, when as an Opposition MP, he said in the House ‘…Government’s size, scope and structure didn’t cause the island’s current financial woes.”

“Now I expect the PLP Government to try and rationalize that they have a Minister of Government Reform supported by the Deputy Head of the Civil Service, however, since July 2017, we have seen more jobs added to the government ranks with no known efficiencies or cost savings.

“Now this change again will further increase costs to the taxpayer.

“Since 2010, both roles have been the responsibility of one person and with this change the roles will be separate and each graded at PS 50 with each job paying $209,894.19.

“Let us not forget that, even with the great progress of the OBA Government to reduce the yearly government operating deficit, we are not yet out of the woods.

“Out of the blue changes like this will not help but have the potential to dig a deeper hole.

The PLP Government media release says ‘In an effort to place a sharper focus on Public Service Reform the posts of Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service will be separated.’

“This in my humble view is pure political spin as the current Deputy Head of the Civil Service over the last few years has had direct responsibility for Public Service Reform and implementation of specific provisions of the SAGE report. In my view the DHCS is capable and qualified to implement the priorities and plans of a Goverment.

“So, once Dr. Binns assumes the new role what responsibility will the current DHCS play going forward?

“Let us also not forget that the PLP as the Opposition had little positive to say about the work of the SAGE Commission and the countless hours of sacrifice by dozens of our fellow Bermudians all with a view of helping Bermuda.

“In fact, they dubbed it the ‘Cuts and Pain Commission.’ Now as the Government, who have hung their hat on transparency and accountability, they have made vague references to the report and not laid out what they would do.

“Then, out of the blue, another highly compensated job is created which looks like moving the current Cabinet Secretary in an effort to have a political appointment. This behavior is a carry over from the last PLP administration and it undermined the effectiveness and the unbiased nature of the Civil Service. “

Update 9.32am: OBA Deputy Leader Leah Scott said, “The Government has not indicated whether or not Ms Cherie Whitter, who currently serves as the Deputy Head of the Civil Service, will remain in that role.

“The SAGE Committee recommendation is that two roles be established – Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service and that both of those positions have equal seniority.

“With Dr Binns assuming the role of the Head of the Civil Service, will the role of the Deputy Head of the Civil Service be made redundant or will we now have three six figure posts – Head of the Civil Service, Deputy Head of the Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet?

“We are asking the Government to clarify this point for the people of Bermuda, because creating another six figure position will negatively impact the public purse.”

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Comments (78)

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  1. Mrs Brady says:

    Its friends and family all over again. Yet Bermuda voted them in 24/12. People will never learn apparently.

    • Rasta says:

      Yes this is the same former Premier Michael Dunkley who didn’t vote for same sex marriage. Yes I agree with him. Thank you so much for being the best Premier in Bermuda’s history.

      • Nana says:

        Rasta,
        You are absolutely spot on with your comment. The best that Bermuda has ever seen.

      • Bill says:

        I agree with Dunkley as well. “Best Premier” lol debatable. OBA had their chance at downsizing some positions in the over inflated civil service but was very slow in doing so or wanted to do it in a way to save face. Look what happened to them lol. PLP is “creating jobs” making it bigger again and putting us in a bigger hole go figure. Give me a 200k job please and Ill make Bermuda great again lol

    • Joe Public says:

      Mr. Dunkley, please! I am begging you to stop. You are better than this.

      • Double S says:

        So he should not have his say because he is in Opposition? Why didn’t that though process apply to the PLP when they advocated for the shutting down of Parliament twice, when they instigated the mob invasion of the Senate etc. etc?

      • Johnny Appleseed says:

        Why in the world should he stop? He’s in Opposition for God’s sakes. It’s OK if the PLP effectively shut Bermuda down when in Opposition but it’s NOT ok for anyone else to even have an opinion when they’re in Oppostion? Walter Roban was on TV almost daily when in Opposition. Grow up and stop drinking so much kool aid

    • Onion Juice says:

      So who created BTA whom the CEO makes $1000 a day.

  2. Ok says:

    Spend spend spend….who cares…what debt?

  3. Andrew says:

    PLP are doing such a fine job! ;o)

    • wildcat says:

      Doing what? What has the PLP accomplished?

      • Andrew says:

        Its called sarcasm. I really have no idea what they have done since being in power but take trips. Its crazy, but hey, Bda voted them back in. Spend all our money! lolol

      • Joe Bloggs says:

        How about having 4 new buses on the way, one of which has been delivered in less than 6 months!

        • Double S says:

          The OBA ordered those buses just before they were booted out. Even MP Roban acknowledged that fact.

        • Heyyyy says:

          They were ordered under the OBA administration. Please check your facts.

        • Seriously says:

          Spending other’s peoples money is easy. And NO ONE is as good at that as the PLP and it will be the common man who will suffer the most

        • lol says:

          haha…Joe…seriously? do some research

  4. Terrible says:

    Wow… this govn’t is the worst govn’t in the history of govn’ts. Talk about family and friends deals.

  5. fluffy says:

    The budget’s gonna be ugly.

  6. Mark says:

    Another $200k for a job unnecessarily?!? Is it really that surprising that they are creating jobs for their friends and giving them lots of money though? How is this going to help our debt situation? how is this going to create jobs for the average Bermudian that doesn’t get paid half of that?!?

    • Onion Juice says:

      Well they created a job for Hanbury, and he was already a multi-millionaire.

      • hmm says:

        You’re an idiot. PLP had the department of tourism, which had a higher budget. The OBA created the BTA which replaced the old department of tourism. The BTA has less of a budget, spending less money. Whether or not they pay Hanbury or Dallas $1000 a day or $2000 a day they’re still saving more money than what was being spent at the old department of tourism. DUHHHHHH!!! Your lack of brain cells is amazing. Science should study you because you’re clearly a wonder of nature.

  7. Roma says:

    Sigh. More of the same from a PLP Government.

  8. Justin says:

    The PLP are implementing a sugar tax to pay for these new positions, duh!!

    • Onion Juice says:

      Go for it PLP, OBA did whatever they wanted to do, despite protest from the masses.

      • Andrew says:

        Who are you? Do you even proof read what you write? So it is fine to do whatever you want as long as you are wearing a Green tie?

  9. Tyler says:

    Using the same weak senior servants and continually rewarding them continues. Mr Dunkley you know the same civil servants did everything in their power to undermine you. The facts are government can’t get better results because of union rules that protect all of the incompetence. So carry on..

  10. Wahoo says:

    Yes but no money to spend on the common man…who voted for them again?

  11. Kim Smith says:

    What specifically will each of the top jobs be responsible for delivering to the Bermudian people?

  12. Double S says:

    “unbiased nature of the Civil Service”

    The civil service has not been apolitical for decades now. It is officially a further extension of the PLP these days. That was quite evident during the OBA reign.

    • Pro Good Governences says:

      Your message is worth repeating! IT IS FACT!

  13. Triangle Drifter says:

    Jobs for the mates. Nothing more. Same pattern as last time round.

  14. 24 - 12 says:

    The real reason the oba lost is this man right here people, the real UBP leader has never left. Must be still feeling the beating he received at the election. I’m glad he’s chirping like a lost bird at this rate the PLP Government will be elected for the next 20 years. When he reaches 80 years old.

    • Johnny Appleseed says:

      No doubt, you are one of the ones who will be feeling the financial pain the most once the PLP Government drives our economy back into the toilet once again. You’ll be crying for the likes of Bob Richards to be back in politics. PLP, party before Bermuda all the way

      • Double S says:

        That would be called karma.

      • 24 - 12 says:

        In hind site of racist Trump theory I’m a black Bermudian and very wealthy.

      • Stop whining says:

        Give it a break! Instead of being so dramatic try supporting our Government and making a difference. And the milkman does need to stop whining about yesterday and America’s Cup as that event provided gains for the privileged few – yes there were jobs for “us” but don’t minimize the huge gains that the privileged few made on our backs!

        We now need truly global events and not just elitist sports that serve to provide opportunities for the privileged few to energize our economy. Get on it!

        • Double S says:

          None of you PLP supporters took your own advise above between 2012 and 2017.

          All you guys did was whine and threaten for 4.5 years and didn’t even for once try and ‘support the Government.’

    • Andrew says:

      scary, and so many have this mentality. yikes! Poor Bermuda.

      • mixitup says:

        So many really do have your mentality Andrew..Poor Bermuda Indeed! We have long past the time when your opinion mattered, you sat by and didn’t bat an eye to a bogus Airport deal worth over a billion, but throw your toys around the room for a Gov’t post worth $200,000 per year? I just can’t with you people.. Can’t stomach the sight of you.

        • Double S says:

          “We have long past the time when your opinion mattered”

          “Can’t stomach the sight of you.”

          Racist and a fascist. Congrats:)

        • Andrew says:

          WOW! lololol ok then. Carry on.

    • Nana says:

      Hopefully that will never happen. Bermuda will not survive if they get back in again. Bermuda wake up smell the coffee. It has burnt smell.

    • Kevin says:

      They may win all of the elections because all of those smart enough will be gone , the green machine better start to teach who is left to farm because that will be all that will be left to do. April is coming watch this Budget should be fun to see the smoke and mirror brigade at work

      • mixitup says:

        Wondering why you are still here then? If you are that ‘smart.’

        You all love to throw that around as if you are trying to convice yourself…lol Poor souls.

    • Mark says:

      oh irony, we now know who you are! cant wait for them to do absolutely nothing for their base and then see what happens. its like waiting for a car crash to happen. 20 years of this? can you survive that 24-12? will you still be harping on about a nonsensical statistic when they have done nothing for you? will you vote for them in the next election after messing our country?

    • The real Terry says:

      If they are in for 20 more years they will only be “King of the Ashes”

  15. Wow says:

    Why don’t you write about the reason you continue to lose black voters in the oba/UBP. You have lost black Leaders, Members and Voters. If you really want to keep it real. Further more you change the name hoping that people would return. You have 12 MPs compared to the PLP 24. You need to think before your actions repeat another land slide election milk man.

    • Double S says:

      Another super intelligent PLP response. You guys are just killing it these days.

      Has your 24-12 thing resulted in jobs yet?

      • mixitup says:

        There they go attempting to prop themselves again.. 20,000 BERMUDIANS chose a different Gov’t.. In your arrogance, and dare I call it something else, question their intelligence… I actually feel sorry for people like you. A sad bunch you are.

        • Double S says:

          And another one! Man you guys are on a roll.

          Why don’t you tell me that ‘you can’t stand the sight of people like me’ again?

          That would be the cherry on the top of your persistently deep and intellectual responses.

        • Zevon says:

          That 20,000 number….another invented PLP myth. You lot love making stuff up don’t you.

  16. watching says:

    Where are Jeanne Atherden and Leah Scott?
    Is Michael Dunkley the OBA Leader? He is the only one we hear from day after day after day.
    That July loss was definitely a bitter pill for him to swallow!

  17. Stevie says:

    Where is David Burt hiding?

  18. Rhonda says:

    Wasn’t this a SAGE recommendations..

    To improve accountability..

    Are we now against accountability.

    • Double S says:

      PLP vehemently criticized the SAGE report and all of its suggestions.

      And hiring a F&F person for the job isn’t about accountability. It’s about getting paid.

      • Seriously says:

        And if MT gets the post, this is definitely NOT about accountability. Quite the opposite in fact if you remember the COI. Be afraid, very afraid

  19. on de rock says:

    P!ssing more $$ down the drain!

  20. Lance says:

    Make Bermuda Great Again!!!

  21. Athena says:

    Has this present government discovered a new species of tree?

    I sure need directions to that orchard as money seems to sprouting like leaves on trees.

    We should be reducing the CS not increasing. It’s mind boggling how we are heading back “to the brink”!

  22. Oh my gosh:
    His hands were tied…does this mean that they are tied forever?
    Yes!!
    The P.L.P. have been in power since July 18, 2017. Smart and clever group of individuals they are. Hats off to the P.L.P.
    Much smarter and a more inclusive group of politicians, unlike him above and oba!
    Their greed and selfishness caused crumblings and destruction.
    Bye oba!!

    • Politricks says:

      “more inclusive group of politicians,”

      That’s satire/sarcasm right?

  23. Rhonda says:

    Who are the leaders of the oba..

  24. facts of the rock says:

    Impose DIRECT RULE.

  25. Real Deal says:

    Well the Premier is doing 2 jobs himself is he getting paid for both?