Govt faulted on civil servants litigation plans
Civil Servants Trade Union (CSTU) has said government’s plan to have civil servants liable for work related litigation has caused distress and the union intends to launch a complaint to Civil Service and Public Reform Commission.
Nation on Sunday edition of July 27 reported that the office of the Attorney General (AG) noted that over 90 percent of the litigations currently against government are due to poor judgement by public officers, yet it is the taxpayers that bear the full brunt of individual mistakes.
To recover the money, government will be deducting from an individual public servant’s salary, pension and gratuity and even forfeiting personal property to pay for costs.
But speaking in an interview on Thursday, CSTU secretary general Madalitso Njolomole said though there is no formal communication from government, the plan is disturbing.
He said CSTU will present it to the commission to intervene on the matter as it has a potential to lower productivity of the civil servants.
“We will not accept any policies that impinge on the civil servants’ productivity. Government has to embark on policies that will motivate and not frustrate its employees,” said Njolomole.
He said it is never in anyone’s interest to make a mistake, noting that anyone can make a mistake, as such, holding civil servants liable may also affect innocent people “who might become victims of blackmail”.
The civil service is not a welfare club. Its first obligation is to serve the interests of the taxpaying public first and the welfare of the civil servants second. Individual and personal liability is only reasonable given that the rewards from public service are individual and personal. This principle is not alien and has been successfully applied by Japan and Vietnam. Mistakes are indeed unavoidable and employees should not be unfairly penalized. However, repeated mistakes with impunity we must not accept. Everyone should be held accountable for misconduct, negligence and dereliction of duty [including theft and corruption]. If you are inept, unqualified, unprofessional or just purely criminal; then its time to find another employer! No more paying for mediocrity and thievery.