Commission decisions aligned to public sector reforms

Submitted by TemoL on Fri, 07/03/2009 - 07:19

The Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Josefa Serulagilagi, has emphasized that all decisions made by the Commission are very closely aligned to Government’s public sector reforms. Furthermore, the decisions are guided by the State Services Decree of 2009.

In this regards, the Commission decided at its meeting on Monday that statutory authorities will operate in accordance with Section 15 of the State Services Decree.

These agencies are not specifically excluded from the public service, and as such, respective legislations that establish each of these statutory authorities will be researched case by case to establish their status, and that of their employees, to ascertain whether they are civil servants or otherwise.

A review of the Student Loan Scheme was also part of the meeting agenda, and the Commission will be seeking Cabinet endorsement for awards to be in line with the priority areas of training as identified by the Ministry of National Planning.

Mr Serulagilagi emphasized that training has become a major priority for Government, and a more focused approach will now be taken, so that the needs of the state become the guideline for awarding scholarships.

Furthermore, in line with this same objective, the Commission will also seek Cabinet endorsement for the establishment of a Fiji Civil Service Staff College.

In the effort to up-skill and upgrade the qualifications of state employees, the Staff College should become a relevant institution for this exercise. Mr Serulagilagi has emphasized that the effectiveness of the civil service largely depends on the efficiency of its human resource.

According to the Chairman, part of the reform initiative is the re-structuring and re-organization of the civil service. Government agencies that are no longer relevant will be removed, and new structures that are effective and affordable to Government will be put in place.

One such structure that was discussed at the Commission meeting yesterday was the establishment of a Public Service Disciplinary Tribunal. A cabinet paper on the matter will be tabled shortly.

Government’s commitment to the removal of corruption is of paramount importance, and the establishment of this important body, with all relevant expertise and resources will ensure that good governance prevails in the civil service.

For the same reasons, the Commission has decided that, as with established positions, temporary appointments must not be made unless police clearance is provided.

Furthermore, the regulations on the Conduct of the Public Service [1999], will be reviewed, so that the Disciplinary Forces will be made responsible for informing the Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments, when an officer has been convicted or has breached the rule of law.

At the moment there is very little coordination between the Disciplinary Forces and that of other ministries, in matters relating to discipline.

Given the existing global financial crisis, the Chairman has emphasized that the Commission will be monitoring the utilization of state resources, and it will do all it can to ensure that there is as little wastage in the civil service.

For this reason, structures that have become unaffordable or redundant will be reviewed. One of these, which is part of the civil service roadmap for reform, is the rationalization of office accommodation. The Public Service Commission is exploring options that will be affordable to government.

Processes will also be reviewed to ensure that service delivery is timely. The deadline for applications for vacant positions will now be reduced from 21 days to 14 days, and this should ensure that vacant positions are filled in quickly to allow for the work of the civil service to progress smoothly.

According to Mr Serulagilagi, the Commission is closely monitoring the re-engagement process, with the view that there is no need for any further re-engagement after 31 December, excepting in special circumstances whereby specialist skills are needed and there are no replacements available.

Mr Serulagilagi has stated that by the end of the year, all Ministries must be fully prepared to implement their new succession plans.