By Alicia Chamely
A NATIONAL work-from-home policy is something that the government may be considering in the near future.
Questioned at Thursday’s post-cabinet press briefing, at the Cabildo Chambers, as to what it was like to work from home, given the issues at Whitehall and the Diplomatic Centre, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said, “It’s great. It’s great working from home; I’m getting the job done.”
She said, “That is something we can consider. Remember during Covid there was a lot of talk about working from home, then we would not have to pay so much rentals perhaps, there are a lot of good things that can happen. It’s something we should consider; it’s happening all over the world.”
Earlier in the press briefing, Persad-Bissessar revealed the government spent approximately $493 million in the 2024 fiscal year.
Recently, Persad-Bissessar has been under scrutiny for her decision to work from her personal Phillipine, San Fernando residence, rather than from one of the many official government offices in Port-of-Spain.
On May 8, in an interview, she said, “I will use the residences in North Trinidad, South Trinidad and Tobago facilities, as well as my own home, as and when it is necessary to do so and when it is convenient,” she said.
Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Barry Padarath defended her decision by highlighting what he considered the “unacceptable” conditions of both White Hall and the Diplomatic Centre.
Work is currently being done by the Urban Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (UDECOTT) to both Whitehall and the Diplomatic Centre.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday Padarath said, “The Prime Minister and I were advised by the Permanent Secretary that the recommendation is that she operates outside of White Hall while the restoration works commence. We have taken that advice and over the next week or two some work should start on the restoration of Whitehall.”
He said until advised the Prime Minister will continue to work from her personal residence.
Messages sent to Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Dominic Smith, who would be responsible for drafting a work from home policy, were left unanswered at time of submission.
