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Trinidad Government Front Staff

Trinidad Government Front Staff

One of the most irritating things about entering any Government Ministry in Trinidad & Tobago is the lack of defined information to fulfill a need. For instance if I need 'X' certificate then there should be a pamphlet published listing step 1, step 2, etc.

Sometimes there are such pamphlets but they are out of date or the staff will tell you that they no longer following that procedure and now you have to do this or that. Do not even try to look up a Ministry's website because even though they have steps listed when you go into the Ministry they will tell you something different. When you mention their website did not say that they watch you as though you should not even mention that.

When I used to live in the US / UK there were many times that I had to get various documents / certificates but the procedure for getting these were so clearly defined in both websites, pamphlets and bulletin boards with mapped steps that you hardly had to even ask staff for anything, most of all you could be assured that the steps shown were the actual steps and there would be no surprises later.

I do not know who makes these rules and regulations but getting through with anything within a Trinidad & Tobago Government Ministry is usually dependent on the knowledge, competence and willingness of Government Front Staff to help you get to the final goal of receiving a document or service needed. Some Government Front Staff can be very helpful but others can be downright insulting and aggressive.

I can't tell you the number of times I have gone into a Ministry requested the steps and forms needed to get 'X' done and been given wrong information and even the wrong form(s). When I think I am now following a correct procedure - on the next visit to the Ministry I find out that what I was told is wrong and I have to start all over again. What makes this even tougher is I am tagged with autistic children going up and down trying to get the right information. Do not look for any empathy either, you will receive none.

Each Ministry should be responsible for ensuring that their Front Staff know their policy and procedures like the 'back of their hand' and do not put trainees or people not interested in dealing with the public to the front. It takes a special kind of person to be able to be at the front of any establishment - they should be chosen wisely. Proper up to date printed materials with the procedures to get anything done should be readily available to the public... You should not have to ask Front Staff questions if there are proper outlined steps in place.

I should mention this has nothing to do with any particular political party in power, all are the same, and the way they handle business with the public remains the same. This is all about bureaucracy and a culture of dishing out mediocre service to the public.

What are your thoughts on Trinidad Government Front Staff and Government's lack of proper communication to the public about procedure.?

Staff Front Government Trinidad

You are very right JB and no matter how much we complain about these things no real measures are taken to fix it even though the government has a whole printery for itself.

Trinidad Government Front Staff Caribbean / Tobago & Trinidad

Gosh this is a real problem. What I do is give the woman (If is a woman) some sweet talk and she is be more helpful. You have to tell them they look beautiful and have a nice smile even if they look like "Crapo" Is their middle name and their teeth done drop out. If is not a woman I try to look for a woman but luckily most ministries have women dealing with people at the front.

Staff Front Government Trinidad

You will laugh but I think workers' unions have a lot to do with this. Workers feel they can behave how they want because if a supervisor pressures a worker they feel they can run to the union to save them. You also have that mentality of "Whatever" With no professional touch to it.

Staff Front Government Trinidad

Government workers are some of the worst ever. You ask them a question an most of the time they don't know the answer or if they give you the answer you ask someone else an it turns out to be a different answer so you don't know who to believe. If government staff don't know how the public will know.

Trinidad Government Front Staff

Name: Tripper
Country:

Title: Government offices

Comments: Take heed of the old saying. "A fish rots from the head." One person made reference to the U.S. And U.K., They are 1st world nations with something called "Standards" T&T is a failed banana republic ruled by mango lawyers and doctors with certificates from the diploma mills.

Trinidad Government Front Staff

In their defense some staff really try their best but they have to deal with some really ignorant people who just out to give them a hard time and when you get that all day everyday it can make you pissed.