OGGO Committee News Release
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Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates |
HOUSE OF COMMONS CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES OTTAWA, CANADA K1A 0A6 |
Comité permanent des opérations gouvernementales et des prévisions budgétaires |
For immediate release
NEWS RELEASE
Publication of a report on Compensation
Ottawa, May 1, 2008 - On this International Workers' Day, the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates has presented to the House of Commons its report entitled “The Right Pay for Valuable Employees”.
The report, prepared as part of a study on the compensation system and the community of compensation advisors in the federal public service, finds that at a time when the federal government is facing major human resources challenges its compensation system lacks the necessary resources to provide the services required to meet the expected standard.
The Chair of the Committee, Honourable Diane Marleau, said "We’ve heard countless stories from public servants who have had to wait months to be properly paid. This is a serious issue and it had to be addressed as soon as possible. The Government of Canada operates thanks to the hard work of its employees and in all fairness they deserve to be fully paid on time. The federal government has a duty to pay its employees on a timely basis."
The Committee acknowledges the efforts made by the government to improve the situation in the short term and supports the various projects to modernize the compensation system.
Conservative MP, Daryl Kramp, declared: "I am pleased that on this particular issue, a unanimous non-partisan report has been issued that acknowledges the government's improvements to the compensation system while also making recommendations to improve the effectiveness and timeliness of compensation to the public service."
However, the Committee finds that significant problems persist, especially in the community of compensation advisors. The Committee is of the opinion that the recommendations in its report will minimize the difficulties facing the community of compensation advisors:
That the government take immediate action to provide equitable pay for compensation advisors in the federal public service and other federal public sector agencies.
That the government work with the representatives of its compensation advisors to develop a classification standard that reflects the complexity of their duties.
That the government actively support Public Works and Government Services Canada’s Compensation Modernization Initiative by providing the Department with the required resources and by setting a timetable with measurable objectives.
That the Canada Public Service Agency and the Treasury Board Secretariat develop policies to reduce the turnover rate among federal public servants.
That the government study and report to Parliament on the possibility of redistributing some of its activities to the regions of Canada in order to access a pool of candidates that would provide greater stability in its workforce.
Bloc Québécois MP, Diane Bourgeois, said she is “very happy today that the Standing Committee has tabled a report recommending both immediate and long-term measures to improve the way in which public servants are treated. The witnesses appearing before the Committee made clear the broad and complex problems facing compensation advisors. We know that disparities in pay in the same sector are a source of frustration, undermining interpersonal relationships and affecting family life.”
New Democrat MP, Charlie Angus concluded by mentionning that "respect for employees means paying them at the right rate in a timely manner. It is unbelievable that employees who have earned promotions or who work overtime have to wait months to see a change in their paycheque."
The Committee has requested that the government table a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days.
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