RECENTLY-appointed deputy chief secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Watson Duke has officially resigned as president of the Public Services Association PSA, a post he held since 2009.
Duke, who is also the political leader of the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP), the party that is now leading the THA issued his letter of resignation on Tuesday to the PSA’s Confederate of Delegates, pursuant to Article 47 of the Constitution of the PSA.
His resignation takes effect from December 31.
In his resignation letter, Duke listed his accomplishments as president which included fighting for salary increases for the labour force, job evaluations for more than 1,500 different categories and opportunities for public officers to enter discussions with key stakeholders at the level of governance.
Duke said, “Specifically speaking, I am now the Deputy Chief Secretary of the THA, which is a body charged with creating policy and managing the affairs of Tobago. As the PSA faces its future, it would require a political solution to its political problems.”
“Nine years without a salary increase is a political problem. Failure to fill vacancies is a political problem created by the Minister of Finance. Failure to adjust allowances is a political problem.”
Duke said he was committed to addressing those issues.
“Upon acceptance with effect from December 31, 2021, I will be completely committing myself to creating a political solution to fixing these problems for citizens of our country. Therefore, I hope my resignation is accepted, so I can commit myself to the same work, albeit, on a different level.”
Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi had written to newly-appointed THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine informing him that it would be a breach of the law if Duke held the key positions in the THA and the PSA at the same time in a letter dated December 9, three days after the THA general elections were held.
The THA Act states: “A Secretary or the President Officer shall not engage in any trade, business, occupation or other undertakings for profit or remuneration other than serving as Secretary or Presiding Officer.”
Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus had also stated that Duke needed to choose which organisation he intended to serve as he could not, by law serve both.
