Minister of the public service Henry Usher - whose ministry sent out the memorandum that is at the middle of this dispute -claimed - that like the PM - he hasn't seen the lawyer letter:
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service
"I haven't read the letter as yet and certainly I would be able to better answer once I read that letter. But from what I saw in the media I know it has been reported that they are challenging the transfers so I could give a better answer once I see what grounds they are challenging the transfers on. As we had explained some weeks ago that the Ministry of Public sSrvice did send out that circular requesting that tours of duty be extended for one year. It was for cost saving measures but also to look at and do an analysis of the transfer system on a whole. We found that there were a number of transfers that certainly did not seem to be necessary. Transfers are supposed to be done in the best interests of both the public officers and the public servicem so there had to be justification for the transfers. A normal tour is 2 years; it can be extended one year. We were asking for an extension of one more year so that we can do that analysis. In the weeks that have transpired after that circular went out, we have been doing that analysis at the Ministry of Public Service in a number of cases we reduced the numbers and based on the justifications made by the different departments. So there will be some transfers but not as many as we had anticipated and not as many as was sent to us before and that is because the analysis had been done. And that is ongoing going forward. We want to make sure that we are able to be as effective as possible with these transfers and make sure it is done in a way as I said is in accordance with the regulations, when it comes to these particular officers challenging it, I cant answer, or have a better answer for you once I see what the grounds are."
