18 NOV 2009 - Our hardworking public servants are to be congratulated for being making New Zealand top of the global list as the least corrupt country in the world, Labour's State Services spokesperson Grant Robertson said today. Last year New Zealand shared first place with Denmark and Sweden on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, but this year our public sector is number one on its own. "While the checks and balances built in to our public service ensure there is vigilant monitoring of all processes, it's public service workers that deserve the bouquet," Grant Robertson said. "Kiwis trust their public sector and those who work in it to provide fast, efficient and effective services. "It's a trust that Kiwis rely on but it is in serious danger of being undermined by the cutbacks and changes that are being made by the National Government. "We are already seeing signs of stress in the public service with industrial action being taken by staff across a number of departments. "Our public servants deserve to be respected for the fine job they do and have been recognised for today, not rudely ignored when they stand up for their rights. "In recent days we've seen John Key and his Ministers take aim at public servants in Treasury and the Crown Law Office. "It's easy to blame the staff, but as the findings of the corruption perception index have proved, our public servants are doing a great job," Grant Robertson said.