Marchak retires from PMO, Kamla wants removal of compulsory retirement

Sandra Marchak is calling it quits after serving the government of Trinidad and Tobago for 38 years.

The veteran senior public officer served as the Permanent Secretary to the country's six prime ministers, including Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

At a farewell function for Marchak at the Diplomatic Centre over the weekend Persad-Bissessar praised Marchak, noting the help she got from the trusted civil servant.

“I began my career with my boots on thanks to Sandra Marchack,” she said noting that it was Marchak who had briefed her on flooding which occurred on the day she took office as Prime Minister.

“You have helped in many ways over turbulent periods from one administration to the next,” the Prime Minister said to Marchack.

She said Marachak has been forced to leave because of the stringent public service rules and called for the removal of the compulsory retirement age for public servants.

Marchack, 62, entered the Public Service in the 1970s as an administrative cadet. During her nearly four decades in the public service she held several important posts including Chief Personnel Officer, Head of the Public service and Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Persad-Bissessar used the event to announce a new policy through which students and young artists will get on the job exposure at the Prime Minister’s Residence and Diplomatic Centre. All the staff at the farewell function were students.

“The Office of the Prime Minister has introduced a new youth-oriented policy with regard to official events and activities at the Prime Minister’s Residence and Diplomatic Centre,” she said.

"Students who are currently enrolled in approved courses in event planning, event management and hospitality will be given the opportunity to develop their skills and further their education,” Persad-Bissessar added.

“To this end, the Office of the Prime Minister will establish partnerships with appropriate schools and institutions, for example, the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality Institute...the new policy will cater to talented, young artists and performers from schools and communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

“Such persons and/or groups will be offered opportunities to showcase their talent through performances at appropriate events and functions,” she said.