Ireland: senior ministers call for penalties for bad civil servants

http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2014/jan/04/ireland-penalties-poor-civil-servants

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Leo Varadkar, Ireland's transport minister, and Brendan Howlin, minister for public expenditure, said there should be sanctions to target poor performance by government officials. In an official paper to be released later this year Howlin hopes to establish clearer lines of accountability.

Varadkar called for mechanisms to be introduced to make it easier to sack under-performing civil servants. He said the next stage of public service reform will be about better services with no pay cuts planned.

A bonus scheme for high-performing state workers was recently announced that would involve paying those who deliver better results more than their colleagues.

Thailand: civil servants call for reform

Thailand's civil service association issued a statement calling for reform of the bureaucratic system, so public servants can respond to the needs of the people not just politicians.

Corruption has become widespread in Thailand, ruining the dignity and morale of civil servants, the association said. It called for government officials to form a free union, and said they should be able to work without political interference.

Hungary: civil servants may be offered subsidised mortgages

The Hungarian government reportedly discussed a proposal to offer preferential, state-subsidised mortgage loans to civil servants, law enforcers and the armed forces. Repayments for these loans would be capped at 30% of the debtor's salary. There would be a state guarantee to help borrowers raise enough money for the down payment for the loan.

It is thought that two versions of the proposal are being discussed, and that no decision has yet been made.

Malaysia: cut back in entertainment allowances

The prime minister announced a cut in entertainment allowances for ministers, deputy ministers and senior civil servants by 5%. This is expected to save millions of ringgit in public funds.

The government previously cut entertainment funding in July 2008, but only for ministers and not for senior government officials or directors of government agencies.

Swaziland: public servants to take oath of allegiance

The Swazi government is drafting a law that will see civil servants pledge allegiance to the state once every five years or when moving to a new office.

The draft document is called the Swaziland public service charter: towards a renewed commitment to service, ethics and accountability in government.

Public servants will be expected to pledge that "any official act with which my name is associated will not be tainted by prejudice, wilful distortion of facts, or malicious intent". The charter also bans civil servants from associating with people who are being investigated by the police or judicial system.

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