Public servants annual leave – ‘use it or lose it’ – Minister Harmon
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

PUBLIC Servants are being urged to take their leave when it is due or it will be forfeited.This was the message from Minister of State, Joseph Harmon as he explained to media operatives last Wednesday at his office, that the Government is faced with a lot of challenges in this regard.
“We are saying, as a general statement, as from 2015 going forward, that when you are entitled to your leave, you have to take it in the year. If you don’t use it, you are going to lose it,” he said.
Minister Harmon explained that Government is facing significant challenges with regard to public servants and their leave, particularly as it relates to senior officers who have accumulated hundreds of days leave.

It was pointed out that proper records are not being kept by various ministries and semi-autonomous bodies and that some public servants proceed on leave and are also being paid salary in lieu for the same leave.

The Minister of State made reference to one Ministry where a Permanent Secretary was sent on leave. He was entitled to 195 days leave. When the files were checked, there were documents to show that the same person was paid three-four months’ pay in lieu of leave. This, Harmon said, has resulted from ineffective filing and record keeping.

“So we are having a lot of issues with public servants leave. The position that we take is that people must enjoy their leave in the year the leave becomes due. The only time you will find people who don’t want to go on leave at all is when they want to sit on something.” Harmon said, adding that, the Government wants people to enjoy their leave.

 

 

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