THE National Government through the Ministry of Public Service is now taking measures to monitor public servants work attendance.
Minister of Public Service Makario Tagini revealed this in response to recommendations from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) when contributing to the 2023 Appropriation Bill 2022 in Parliament today (Thursday 8th December).
Mr Tagini said lateness to work by public officers is a concern.
“This is a very important concern and issue.
“It is a concern not only today but a character attitude when it comes to lateness to work,” he said.
He said in the private sector time is money therefore, it’s important for public officers to be strict on time.
The Minister said based on general observation all public servants tend to arrive late for work.
“Sometimes they arrive between 10am and 11am. And there is no system in place to manage and control this. And it’s a challenging issue,” he said as he acknowledged PAC for highlighting the issue.
The Minister described the problem as a norm that is built within our system.
“It’s in our blood, like a custom to be late for work,” Mr Tagini said.
He added that turning up late for work also contributed to public officers’ poor work output.
“If we are late to work, it means there is less productivity and our policies will not be driven by all public servants,” he said.
To address that, the ministry is trying to install an electronic system to make sure employees arrive on time and their movement monitored.
Despite the big challenge in addressing the issue, Minister Tagini said the government would do all its best to address the matter.
By MOFFAT MAMU
