CSC not empowered to handle affairs of govt. staff

Civil Service Commission (CSC) has revealed that even though the Civil Service Act has been ratified, the legislation which empowers the President to appoint and dismiss government employees as well as to determine their salaries and other benefits has not been dissolved nor has the commission been empowered with such authority. The commission made statement in writing to Maidhu when asked about envisaged take over of the management of the affairs of the government employees by the commission.

According to the Civil Service Commission, the commission has not been assigned with responsibility of managing the affairs of government employees as yet. The Commission’s response indicated that it has communicated with the President’s office regarding the matter and hoped that the President office would soon facilitate the involvement of the commission in such matters as dismissing or appointing or transferring government employees, to reflect the spirit of the Civil Service Act.

According to the Civil Service Commission, under the Civil Service Act, the commission should take over the responsibility for the management of the affairs of the government staff when the Act comes in to effect. In this regard the Commission notes that civil service act must be made effective within 12 months from the date of ratification and that it should be made effective before 1 of May 2008.

Civil Service Commission also revealed that amendment of regulations and procedures concerning government are currently underway and that consultations and advice of the interim Advisory Committee of the Commission are being sought. The commission revealed that the 12 period from the ratification date of the Act was granted so that such procedures and regulations can be formulated. The Commission however noted that such regulations were not a precondition for the civil service law to come in to force, although the commission noted that law will come into force with interim regulations if proper procedures or regulations were not formulated.

Commission also revealed that discussions are already underway on a retirement policy for government employees.

Commission revealed that although the retirement age stipulated by law is 65 years, a person may still be employed on contract basis, if a suitably qualified replacement is not found.