Minister Persaud cracks down on reports of unprofessional conduct at Linden Probation Office 

During an early morning meeting in Region 10 on Monday, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Dr Vindhya Persaud, delivered a firm and direct message to staff at the Linden Probation Office as she outlined the urgent need for improved service delivery across the Ministry’s offices nationwide.

Minister Persaud noted that her planned Open Days for members of the public are intended to allow citizens to meet directly with her, express their concerns, and share their experiences when accessing services. She said that too many of the complaints received to date relate to issues that should never occur within a Ministry mandated to serve some of the nation’s most vulnerable groups.

“We hear complaints about the way people are treated, about efficiency, and about the follow-up system, and this should not be because this is the Human Services Ministry. I know all of you work and sometimes, there are challenges, but despite challenges, we need to do our best for the people of this country,” she emphasised.

She urged the staff to always maintain professionalism, reminding them to leave personal matters at the door and remain fully focused on their duties as they work to serve the public.

“You cannot bring your bad day to the office or let your personal issues affect how you deal with people. What we do as a ministry and how we serve people are important. The intent is for every office in every region to function at its optimum, delivering professional, high-quality service,” the Minister underscored.

Addressing reports of delays in issuing Old Age Pension, Public Assistance, and Permanent Disability booklets, and calling these delays “unacceptable,” Minister Persaud made it clear to the staff that every individual who attended her Open Day in Linden later that day would have their matter resolved on that day, not next week or next month.

Furthermore, the Human Services Minister also schooled staff about urgent gaps in child protection response, stressing the importance of timely action, proper follow-up, and ensuring children are removed quickly from unsafe environments.

She urged the staff to work collaboratively, emphasising the need to build a strong team and network to effectively address critical issues. She reminded them that quality service cannot depend on individual roles alone, but rather on the collective effort of everyone within the Ministry, from office staff to frontline workers across the country.

“As we begin engaging with members of the public from today,  I want to see the issues resolved and services put back on track immediately,” Minister Persaud charged.

Minister Persaud underscored that true progress requires integrated services, teamwork, and full commitment, stating that the work cannot be done halfway.

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