The Civil Service Regulations have been amended such that civil servants who take part in political activities will be terminated from their jobs.
As per chapter 28, clause 272 (a) of the 2014 Civil Service Regulations, civil servants are subject to termination if they partake in political activities during official work hours and outside of official work hours in the capacity of a civil servant.
Section b) states that civil servants may be terminated if they partake in political activities that show they are biased in performing their official tasks or hinder them from performing their official responsibilities, while Section c) states that a civil servant may be terminated without notice if discrimination is displayed in offering services or fulfilling duties based on political bias.
Amendments were also brought to Chapter 27, which states the regulation on employee suspension from work. As per the amendments, civil servants may be suspended during the investigation and trial period of offenses where the employee violated Civil Service Regulations and went against the Code of Conduct. Further amendments to Article 259 of the same chapter states that if a special license is required for the employee to perform their job, and if the license is withheld by any authority or expires, they may be denied their monthly salary and allowances.
Amendments to Chapter 29's section 298 states that complaints filed regarding suspensions and terminations would not be entertained.
The amendments will come into effect 60 days from the date of gazetting.
