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Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has taken steps to facilitate promotions for customs officials who have not yet met “benchmark qualifications.” In a recent statement to the media, he announced that the Cabinet had approved special negotiations to increase upward mobility within the Customs and Excise Departments.
Prime Minister Pierre admitted that there has been an ongoing issue with the benchmark qualifications that Customs officers need to meet before promotion. Upon assuming office, he assured Customs officers that their status would be regularized. The challenge arose because the benchmark qualifications were implemented when several officers were already in office and they were not promoted because they did not meet these requirements.
To address the issue, the government has formed a committee and hired a consultant to work with the Public Service Department. Following cabinet approval, officers who were previously barred from promotion due to lack of benchmark qualifications will now have the opportunity to be promoted.
From July this year, the Public Service Commission will recognize equivalent qualifications that meet the benchmark requirements for customs officers, from Grade 3 (Assistant Customs Officer No. 1) to Grade 16. For example, a Grade 3 officer who holds the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) or has five years of relevant professional experience as a customs officer will be eligible for promotion.
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Additionally, outstanding performance evaluations and successful completion of the Systems Officer Basic Course will qualify an individual for promotion.
Officers from the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) and employees of the Revenue Department will also address the issue.
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