JCSA backs decision to raise threshold for filing of statutory declarations

 

The Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) has given support to the decision to raise the threshold for submission of statutory declarations by public sector workers from $3.5 million to $12 million, which it says was long in coming.

 

Parliament on Tuesday approved the order based on a request from the Integrity Commission against the background of the anticipated increase in declarants, owing to the improved salaries to public sector workers under the compensation review.

 

JCSA President Techa Clarke-Griffiths said from as far back as 2014, the association put forward several recommendations to include raising the threshold for filings, which it says will not only ease the strain on the Integrity Commission's resources but also guarantees a more efficient process for workers within the public sector.

 

Mrs. Clarke-Griffiths said indepth analysis of statutory declarations should be targeted to specific categories of employees, such as parliamentarians, divisional heads and accountants who may be more prone to acts of corruption.  

 

"The other sets of public sector workers, the Integrity Commission should also be able to investigate them using the proposed vetting policy, not necessarily using a statutory declaration process," she said, insisting the declaration process should be more targeted. 

 

The JCSA president said the union wants another recommendation of lengthening the period of filing statutory declarations to 24 months to be seriously considered by the government.

 

She argued that many find it cumbersome to file their declarations on an annual basis.