NEPA accused of not following due process in interdicting employee

 

The Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) is accusing the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) of not following due process in interdicting the officer who was the first to highlight breaches at a Charlemont Drive housing development in St. Andrew. 

 

Speaking Monday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106FM, JCSA President Techa Clarke-Griffiths said the association is gravely concerned about the action against the officer. 

 

She pointed out that under Section 10.8 of the Staff Orders, a worker in breach of an employee contract must be reprimanded verbally and in writing, before getting suspended for three months without pay. Dismissal is the last resort. 

 

"If we use the Staff Orders that outline the steps then we would not need to go to interdiction and go to Section 32 of the Public Service Regulation. We need to be a little bit more human about us. We are too quick to kill and to be vindictive against employees. And we are saying that we will not stand for it. There is a process and we are saying that interdiction in its current form is unjust, it is unfair," she complained. 

 

Mrs. Clarke-Griffiths is calling for an immediate amendment of the Public Service Regulations, arguing that various managers have been weaponising the interdiction provision to victimise workers.

 

She cited a 2017 ruling from Supreme Court judge Justice Kirk Anderson who recommended that lawmakers revisit the Public Service Regulations to ensure government employees are given a hearing before any decision on adjustments to their salary while on suspension.

 

He ruled in favour of former executive director of the Bureau of Gender Affairs, Faith Webster, who was sent on three years' suspension at half-pay.

 

Mrs. Clarke-Griffiths argued that interdiction matters are usually delayed in many cases because of the difficulty in getting together a panel as well as a stenographer. 

 

She maintained that interdiction significantly impacts the life of the affected employee as their salary has been cut and they are not allowed to work or get a second job.