Among the most contentious proposals under review is the potential removal of Section 4.16, a clause that bars public servants from engaging in political activities.

Aubertin revealed that a consultant has been retained to examine and amend the existing framework.

“We have a consultant who is looking at the Staff Orders to modernise them, to bring them in line with modern-day activities. One of the suggestions would be to scrap Section 4.16 and introduce a section in keeping with what is taking place in our modern societies.”

The CSA General Secretary, speaking candidly, said he personally supports eliminating the provision. He noted that the public service includes many highly skilled and capable individuals who should not be barred from political engagement.

“In the public service…you have a lot of skilled people. And if those persons, because of an archaic Staff Order, are removed from the pool of individuals who can present themselves to serve the country in a higher body, I think that is archaic  and it should go.”

According to s.4.16 of the Standing Orders of the Public Service:

“[Public] Officers are expressly forbidden from engaging in party political activity at any time such as:

(a) holding office or taking active part in any political organization;

(b) engaging in publicly in political controversy or publicly criticizing the policy of the Government or individual Ministries;

(c) writing letters to the press, publishing books or articles, circulating leaflets or pamphlets or participating in radio or television broadcast on political matters;

(d) canvassing in support of political parties or in any way publicly supporting or indicating support for any political party or candidate.”

Aubertin also questioned whether Section 4.16 is consistently enforced: “Saint Lucia is a very, very small country, and we know of a number of public servants who are taking part actively in political parties. So as to whether the public service would act strictly in accordance with the Staff Orders in that area is a matter of conjecture.”

The debate surrounding political engagement by public servants resurfaced recently when United Workers Party (UWP) candidate for Micoud North, Elisha Norbert, rejected calls from his opponent, incumbent MP Jeremiah Norbert, to resign from his role as a teacher.