Keiso Mohloboli
THE Ministry of Public Service has ordered all public servants to report for work today and for government departments to enforce an attendance register in light of the proposed stay-away.
The stay-away has been organised by a coalition of civic groups which also intends to stage a protest march today aimed at forcing the government into “speedily” implementing recommendations of a Southern African Development Community commission of inquiry into Lesotho’s instability.
The coalition is under the umbrella of the ‘Alliance of Non-State Actors’ and consists of Maseru Region Taxi Operators, Steering Committee (representing ‘4+1’ taxis), Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organisations, trade unions including Lentsoe la Sechaba, Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho, National Clothing Textile and Allied Workers Union, United Textile Employees, and businesses represented by the Lesotho Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
However, a savingram signed yesterday by Ministry of Public Service Principal Secretary (PS) Lebohang Moreke instructs all government PSs as well as heads of departments and agencies to ensure the workers report for work.
Part of the savingram reads: “The Ministry of Public Service is aware of the anticipated withdrawal of labour on Thursday 12 May 2016. Kindly be informed that tomorrow is a normal working day and all public officers are expected to proceed with their normal duties.
“Ministries/Departments and Agencies are hereby requested to ensure that all public officers register their attendance in the morning, lunch and afternoon.”
The communiqué ends with an instruction for the addressees to “ensure compliance of this directive”.
Meanwhile, Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) Commissioner ‘Matefo Makhalemele yesterday also instructed commanding officers to ensure all officers are on duty today. She also ordered the commanding officers to recall all LCS staff currently on leave.
“All Officers Commanding are instructed to ensure that all officers are on duty on the 12th May 2016,” Ms Makhalemele wrote.
“They should recall those who are on leave and off (sic) and those who are absent on the 12th May, 2016 should be reported to the head office immediately.”
Efforts to get comments from Mr Moreke and Ms Makhalemele were fruitless yesterday, as their phones were not reachable.
Public Service Minister Tsukutlane Au’s phone also rang unanswered.
