Transparency SI urges tougher action on absenteeism after audit reveals nearly $1 billion lost in public service inefficiency
Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) welcomes the release of the Auditor General’s audit report Solomon Islands Government Attendance Management Policy. TSI as a tax-payer is gravely concerned with the findings of this report. The findings show a public service that is highly corrupt, unprofessional, lacking integrity, and paying very little attention to service delivery. Transparency Solomon Islands sees these findings as findings that shows how highly corrupt the Machinery of Government is.
It is obvious that these concerned public officers are abusing, the authority and entrusted power bestowed upon them by the people and taxpayers of Solomon Islands. Using their position of power, to help themselves to an equivalent waste of $1 billion dollars of public resources without any work done.
The government has a Policy of No Work, No Pay in the early independent years which has been gradually reformed and replaced with the policy of “No Work, Full Pay”. The Public Service Commission and Secretary of Cabinet whose responsibility it is to manage, and administer the Public Service through the Permanent Secretaries are letting the officers practicing absenteeism get away with $1 billion for no work done.
This is a serious issue and must be addressed now. Gone are the days when warning letters are given to officers who are absent and terminated if they continued. This can only indicate serious weaknesses in the management and oversight of attendance across parts of the public service, raising broader concerns about governance, accountability and the effective use of public resources.
An efficient, accountable and productive public service is fundamental to the delivery of services. Citizens rely on government ministries and public officers to deliver essential services in health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, policing and many other sectors. When attendance management is weak, the quality and efficiency of these services can be affected. This reduces and undermines public confidence in government institutions.
The Auditor General’s report found that the Attendance Management Policy, approved by Cabinet in 2015, has not been effectively implemented. Prior to 2015 Policy, from the time that Solomon Islands gain independence the “No Work, No Pay” policy is already captured in the General Orders where anyone who is absent for no good reason or without permission, have the hours or days deducted in arrears in their pay.
It was also the case then that when an officer was disciplined for absenteeism, they are disciplined together with their immediate supervisors. Anyone who turned up for work at 10.00am or after is marked absent and immediately have their salaries deducted in arrears.
It is clear from the audit report that nothing has been put in place for the implementation of the 2015 Attendance Management Policy, such as, absence of attendance recording systems, inadequate monitoring and evaluation etc. as identified in the audit report. The failures of Permanent Secretaries being the Authorising Officer to address put in place these systems, as well as monitoring framework to monitor compliance resulted in the waste of $1 billion public resources.
Transparency Solomon Islands urges, the Public Service Commission and the GREAT led Executive Government to not view this pattern simply as an employee discipline issue or a matter of poor work ethic, but as an indication of a broader systemic, and systematic challenge within the public service that require a balanced response combining stronger accountability, and effective management.
The report also raises important questions about leadership and management within the Machinery of Government. Are supervisors and senior managers adequately monitoring attendance? Are attendance policies being enforced consistently and fairly? Are Permanent Secretaries and senior executives being held accountable for not ensuring compliance within their respective ministries?
One billion dollar ($1billion) is huge waste of funds and should Permanent Secretaries be disciplined, changed or be required to understand what the Machinery of Government is – the structures, institutions and processes through which public power and authority is exercised) and how it works. Understanding the Machinery of Government, ensures accountability and transparency. These are important governance questions that deserve careful consideration as part of broader public service reform.
TSI urges the GREAT Coalition Government to examine the factors that contribute to absenteeism, with a view to identify specific causes. Transparency Solomon Islands deplores the use of the rising costs of living, increasing transport expenses, financial pressures, staff morale, limited career progression and workplace conditions to justify being absent from work. There are many graduates that are unemployed that could take up your job. Not turning up to work and being paid for doing no work is completely unacceptable.
Transparency Solomon Islands therefore calls on the GREAT Coalition Government to treat the Auditor General’s findings as an opportunity to strengthen public service performance and accountability. This should include the full implementation of the Attendance Management Policy 2015 with stronger management accountability by introducing and using modern attendance management systems. Lest you forget. As Civil Servants.
- You are the backbone of the machinery of government, a system that encompasses the structures, institutions and processes through which public authority is exercised.
- You are not just administrators; you are the stewards of the Machinery of Government
- Your work ensures that institutions function smoothly, policies are implemented effectively and citizens receive the services they depend on.
Government is more than leaders – It is a system of institutions working together to serve the public for the common good, uphold democracy and ensure justice.
TSI MEDIA STATEMENT
