INDIA
Virus halts PS examinations
An outbreak of the Nipah virus has forced the Public Service Commission in the Indian State of Kerala to postpone its examinations.
More than 600,000 people have applied for the test.
So far 17 people have died from the virus, symptoms of which include fever, headache and, in severe cases, coma.
Complications can include inflammation of the brain and seizures following recovery.
Australia has sent medicines to help fight the virus.
Thiruvananthapuram, 2 June 2018
UNITED STATES
New funds to fix PS loan program
The US Congress has allocated funds to sort out problems with the controversial Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
The Department of Education will use US$350 million (A$457 million) set aside by Congress to give a second chance to people working in the low-paid Public Service jobs that the program demanded, but who were denied loan forgiveness because they chose the wrong repayment plan.
The program offers forgiveness of loan balances to borrowers who worked for 10 years in certain Public Service jobs, as long as monthly repayments, tied to their income, were made on time.
Some borrowers said they chose the wrong plan after being misled by loan-servicing companies.
Washington, DC, 1 June 2018
GREECE
PS evaluation goes online
A controversial evaluation of Greece’s Public Servants will be conducted electronically for the first time in an effort to avoid attempts by unions to boycott the process.
Greece is required by the terms of its international creditors to implement the evaluation scheme, but previous efforts have been hindered by labour unions exhorting employees of state Agencies not to submit the assessment forms.
Now the Administrative Reconstruction Ministry says the online assessment will be conducted in three phases, during which each employee and two of their supervisors will complete the evaluation form by 13 July.
The form includes qualifications, any training received over the year, a brief description of the work completed by the employee’s Department and a score based on knowledge of their work, interest and creativity, behaviour and efficiency.
Athens, 5 June 2018
KENYA
Court blocks accountability for PS staff
In a new development in the scandal that has rocked Kenya’s Public Service, a court has suspended a Government order requiring all public procurement and accounting officers to step down and allow scrutiny of their personal wealth and service record.
The Government’s move followed the arrest and charging of 43 public officials for offences relating to the theft of billions of Kenyan shillings at the Government-run National Youth Service, which helps find employment for young people.
However, the Nairobi Employment and Labour Relations Court suspended the order until it hears a lawsuit challenging the directive.
President, Uhuru Kenyatta pledged to stamp out corruption when he was elected in 2013, but critics say he has been slow to pursue indiscretions by officials and Ministers.
Nairobi, 7 June 2018
SCOTLAND
PS votes for pay increase
The largest union covering Scottish Public Servants has voted overwhelmingly to accept an average 5 per cent pay offer from the Government in Edinburgh.
The vote by members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union will put more pressure on the UK Government south of the border, where the PCS is organising a strike ballot against a refusal to lift a 1 per cent cap on any increase.
A Scottish Government spokesperson welcomed the decision by PCS members to accept the pay offer, “which has also been fully accepted by the other recognised trade unions, Prospect and the FDA”.
Edinburgh, 1 June 2018
SAUDI ARABIA
PS payrises linked toperformance
The Saudi Arabian Cabinet has made changes to the country’s Civil Service Law, linking salary increases and promotions to job performance.
Ministers said the new mechanism would reward hard workers and high performers, reflecting positively on productivity and performance efficiency.
However, critics of the measure point to an absence of objectivity and fairness in job performance appraisal by managers.
They fear an employee’s career and future may be dependent on favouritism or abuse of authority.
Vice-Minister of Civil Service, Abdullah bin Ali Al-Malfi rejected this view, saying job performance reports would be based on objectivity and achievement of objectives and there would be mechanisms enabling employees to express their grievances.
Riyadh, 3 June 2018
ZAMBIA
PS accused of putting football before work
One of Zambia’s traditional tribal rulers, Chief Macha of Choma has accused Public Servants in the Southern Province of spending more time watching football and using social media than working.
Chief Macha said the working culture of PS employees in the Province was “pathetic” and needed to be addressed before the image of Government was dented.
He said there was need for a complete overhaul of the Public Service in the Province if citizens were to see a change in attitude among officers.
“The bad attitude of a majority Public Servants is a clear indication that the Government had failed to supervise its workforce, hence the little development being undertaken,” Chief Macha said.
Choma, 4 June 2018
