On January 29, 2026, the government of Jamaica officially commenced the implementation of flexible work arrangements for public sector employees, following the passage of the Employment (Flexible Work Arrangements) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act on November 24, 2014. 

While the introduction of this flexible work arrangement is a positive development, it raises questions about whether persistent inflexibility and excessive bureaucracy within government processes will continue to hinder the timely and efficient delivery of goods and services to the public, thereby perpetuating existing inefficiencies.      

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness has expressed concern regarding bureaucratic inflexibility and inefficient processes during the inauguration ceremonies of the Overnight Suite at the Bustamante Hospital and the Essex Valley Agro-Processing Facility. He highlighted that both initiatives experienced notable delays due to what he described as “excessive bureaucracy.”

Specifically, the Overnight Suite at the Bustamante Hospital was affected not only by force majeure but also by lengthy procurement procedures, which significantly delayed the completion of this essential healthcare facility. Similarly, the Essex Valley Agro-Processing Facility project—aimed at enhancing national food security—faced procurement-related setbacks despite having secured funding.

The procurement process within the public sector is governed by a comprehensive four-volume “GoJ Handbook of Public Sector Procurement Procedures,” with the shortest volume comprising 69 pages. These extensive guidelines present significant administrative challenges and are further complemented by oversight authorities and agencies that issue reports which can critically impact the careers of public servants should there be any perceived breaches. 

Consequently, public servants often approach their responsibilities with trepidation, mindful of potential scrutiny in Auditor General Reports or before the Public Administration and Appropriation Committee (PAAC) of Parliament—forums where questioning may become highly adversarial. An illustrative example is the recent public disagreement between the Minister of Science, Energy and Telecommunications and the Auditor General concerning emergency procurement decisions made during hurricane Melissa. This incident highlights how extensive bureaucratic requirements and procedures, particularly in emergency situations, can generate tensions within the public sector and contribute to hesitancy in decision-making among public servants.

Procurement is not the sole domain affected by excessive governmental bureaucracy; various licensing systems within government also impose considerable administrative burdens. This issue is especially pronounced in the decade-old cannabis (ganja) industry, established with a therapeutic and medicinal framework intended to transition traditional cultivators and producers into a regulated setting.

 However, the stringent application requirements outlined in “The Dangerous Drugs (Cannabis Licensing) (Interim) Regulations 2016” have proven more prohibitive than facilitative, limiting meaningful advancement for traditional cannabis-growing communities. Members of the Ganja Growers and Producers Association of Jamaica (GGPAJ) frequently report substantial challenges posed by the application processes, requirements, and fees (denominated in US dollars), making regulatory compliance financially unattainable for many. As a result, many traditional cultivators remain outside the regulated sector, thereby limiting opportunities for national development and growth within this emerging industry.

So, while we poetically snap our fingers for the long-awaited implementation of public sector flexible work arrangements, there is nothing to clap our hands about until the “Minister of SPEED” speedily addresses the reform of policies, processes, and procedures in the public sector. The true benefits of flexibility will remain elusive if the underlying bureaucratic hurdles and inefficient systems are not resolved.

Until meaningful reforms are undertaken to streamline and modernise the administrative framework, the newfound flexibility in scheduling may simply prompt public sector workers to invest their time in other meaningful pursuits outside their core responsibilities. Thus, the promise of improved efficiency and productivity will remain unfulfilled, overshadowed by persistent bureaucratic obstacles.

Next time I will tell you what I have to say about this!!!

You can contact Vicki Hanson at: [email protected]