Some workers to be displaced with merger of anti-corruption bodies
WITH THE planned amalgamation of the Office of the Contractor General, the Corruption Prevention Commission and the Integrity Commission into a single anticorruption body, some workers in the three entities could be displaced.
However, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck told Parliament yesterday that some workers who may be affected when the merger takes place would be redeployed to the courts or other agencies of Government.
Chuck yesterday opened debate on the Integrity Commission Act, which will establish a single anti-corruption body in Jamaica.
Some opposition members wanted to know what would be the fate of the current contractor general, Dirk Harrison, who has a seven-year contract and has completed less than three years to date.
The legislation will repeal provisions that establish the post of contractor general in the Contractor General Act and, therefore, abolish the post.
The justice minister indicated that he would respond to that issue when he closes the debate on the bill.
Chuck told his colleagues that the Integrity Commission would be established as a commission of Parliament.
It will have the specific mandate to receive complaints relating to alleged acts of corruption and to conduct investigation and prosecution of these cases.
Debate on the bill has been suspended but will continue in future sittings.