Irons
FORMER PERMANENT Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Anthony
Irons, has been appointed senior advisor to the Minister of Local Government
Community Development and Sports, Portia Simpson Miller.
Mr. Irons, once regarded as the "dean of Permanent Secretaries" and the "doyen
of industrial relations", has been performing in his new role since January
2. His new job will also include advice on labour matters affecting the Ministry.
Mr. Irons' new appointment resumes a longstanding relationship with Mrs. Simpson Miller, which started at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in 1989. He was Permanent Secretary during her tenure there. He retired in 1998, during the tenure of Donald Buchanan, but continued as Permanent Secretary on contract from May, 2001, until June 2002, when he was appointed senior advisor to Mr. Buchanan. However, the position was suddenly terminated in October, 2002, during the tenure of Dean Peart, last year.
Some labour sector leaders, including those of the trade unions and employers' organisations, were displeased with the way Mr. Irons' contract was suddenly terminated last October. Sources say that it was "discontinued" without notice or reason. He is still considered the most experienced labour relations expert in Government. Mr. Irons refused to comment on the issue.
Mr. Irons worked with pension matters for years at the Collector-General, then the Accountant-General's Pension's Branch for years. He then went to the Finance Ministry where he worked on pension policy. He joined the Ministry of Labour in 1978. He served as a deputy director of industrial relations until 1989, when he was asked to act for the Permanent Secretary.
