Cambodian Minister for the Public Service, Prum Sokha has told workers not to use COVID-19 as an excuse to work from home.
Speaking at a ceremony at the Royal School of Administration, Mr Sokha admitted that while some officials needed to stay at home, “most are expected to perform their duties in their offices as required by their positions”.
“COVID-19 is not an excuse to stay home,” Mr Sokha said.
“The most important thing is to protect yourself while preventing virus transmission and providing efficient services. This is the model of work Public Servants should be following,” she said.
“Public Servants should continue to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of their work while maintaining social distancing and hygiene.”
In Uganda, the Ministry of Public Service has taken to opposite view, directing all public offices, Ministries and Agencies to maintain only 30 per cent staff in office while the other 70 per cent should continue to work from home.
Permanent Secretary to the Ministry, Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire (pictured) said the post-lockdown Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were meant to ensure the safety of all public employees.
“Each Ministry, Department, Agency and Local Government should identify 30 per cent of its total workforce to remain on duty to ensure that critical services are provided promptly, while 70 per cent will continue to offer their services remotely,” Ms Musingwiire said.
“Clients seeking for guidance or intending to make consultations at Public Offices should be encouraged to use the officially publicised websites, emails and telephone lines of Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Local Governments,” she said.
Ms Musingwiire said the aim was to keep physical interaction to a minimum with “visitors not allowed entry into office premises with the exception of services where personal presence is inevitable, for example medical treatment”.
Phnom Penh/Kampala, 10 June 2020
