Public Service Commission warns civil servants against media disclosures
Title -- 3688 FIJI: Public Service Commission warns civil servants against media disclosures
Date -- 28 June 2002
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pacific Media Watch
Source -- Fiji's Daily Post, 28/6/2
Copyright -- DP
Status -- Unabridged
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'TAKING MATTERS TO THE MEDIA IS NOT THE SOLUTION'
SUVA (Pacific Media Watch): Fiji's Public Service Commission yesterday warned civil servants from disclosing their problems to media, reports the Daily Post.
PSC spokesman Filimoni Kau said it was "inappropriate" for civil servants to take their problems to the media when Government had a set machinery in place to deal with those problems.
Kau said if the staff at the various Government departments were unhappy with the staff movement within their departments then those grievances should be raised with their respective permanent secretaries.
ÒIf the permanent secretary is unable to deal with it then the PSC will take over,Ó he said.
ÒTaking the matter to the media is certainly not the solution.Ó
He, however, stressed that PSC would be vigilant in investigating officers who had been implicated in cases of abuse of public office and public funds and other Government resources.
The spokesman cited cases of a number of Government ministries which the PSC had handled so far and the kind of disciplinary actions taken.
ÒThe PSC encourages the civil servants to come forward so that PSC will be given the chance to examine the case and take necessary action.
ÒBut those who make allegations must have evidence to substantiate the allegations,Ó he said.
Kau was reacting to media statements on alleged abuse of public money by the Public Service Credit Union.
© The Daily Post
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