THE announced reduction of annualised vacation leave from 42 days to 21 days (KN, Friday, June 22, 2012) is obviously a miscarriage of authority to which even the Ministry of Home Affairs would appear to be sensitive, having carefully arranged for the circular in question to be signed by a lowly ‘Human Resources Manager’. Leave conditions (like others) in the Public Service have never been at the domestic discretion of a particular budget agency, who should in any case have arranged for their ignorance on such a subject to be enlightened by the Ministry of Public Service, who if itself in doubt would be required to seek advice from the Public and Police Service Commissions.

Even a cursory examination will reveal the invalidity of the purported circular, since the Estimates for the year 2012 presented to the National Assembly do not show any post ‘Human Resources Manager’. Instead the position recorded is titled ‘Principal Personnel Officer’. The ministry concerned should therefore be asked to explain when this very substantive ‘official’ change was effected and to provide proof that the new post was approved by the Public Service Commission, on the recommendation of the Public Service Ministry.

The reason such an enquiry is necessary is that the post of Principal Personnel Officer applies to all ministries (check the 2012 Estimates), and it would therefore be implausible for the relevant authorities to restrict an important policy change to a single ministry.

Apart from the above, the Police Officers affected may be assured of an appropriate ruling on the matter from the Police Appellate Tribunal.

Once again, the above reflects the confusion which endemically obtains between sterile power and authentic authority.

What indeed is intended to be achieved by the compunction to further marginalise the energies of an already emasculated law enforcement agency is a matter for further discussion!

This submission is being copied to all the named parties for appropriate commentary.