A Proposal for a Public Sector Ethics Infrastructure

Abstract

Public sector corruption misapplies resources, increases poverty and discourages investment. Corruption, and allegations of corruption, also weakens democratic institutions. This paper sets out a scheme for a Public Sector Ethics Infrastructure in Jamaica. This proposal seeks to improve public sector ethics, and in particular to avoid conflicts of interest in the Jamaican public service. It is proposed that this scheme can be established under the executive authority of the Cabinet, and although legislation is desirable it is not necessary to establish this infrastructure. The paper sets out the duties and operations of the Contractor-General in the anticorruption programme. The responsibilities are to monitor and investigate government procurement and licensing to ensure that they are awarded (and terminated) on merit and without irregularity. The duties of the National Contracts Commission are also set out. These are the promotion of efficiency in the process of award and implementation of government contracts and ensuring transparency and equity in the awarding of such contracts. A draft conflict of interest code is attached.

Keywords: anticorruption, ethics, public sector, corruption, governance, developing economie, sleaze, foreign corrupt practices, Inter-American Convention Against Corruption, OECD Convention Against Bribery of Foreign Public Officials, UN, Convention Against Corruption, Transnational Organized Crime

JEL Classification: D73, H57, K19, K29, K33, K4, K42, K49, L32