In the wake of the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government stating that strict action will be taken against public servants who use mobile phones during office hours, the Sri Lanka Government Officers’ Trade Union Association (SLGOTUA) stated that while it has no objection to taking measures against public servants who use mobile phones unnecessarily during office hours individually, it will however definitely initiate trade union action if the Government is prepared to restrict the use of mobile phones in a manner that affects all public servants.
Speaking to The Morning, SLGOTUA National Organiser Pradeep Basnayake said: “According to Hapuhinna, the use of mobile phones by public servants is the main reason for shortcomings in the delivery of public services. That is a total misconception. There are many administrative issues in the public service and the Government has yet to provide solutions to these. Therefore, we would like to ask Hapuhinna to look into and solve such issues instead of attempting to do things that are not practical.”
Ministry Secretary Neel Bandara Hapuhinna on Monday (2) warned of strict action against public servants who use mobile phones during office hours, particularly to access Facebook and WhatsApp.
Noting that mobile phones and social media platforms such as WhatsApp are required by most public servants, particularly those who are on field duty, when delivering their services to the people, he said that the use of mobile phones does not have an impact on the delivery of public services. He also queried as to how the Ministry, if there are any preparations to limit the use of mobile phones by public servants, will differentiate between public servants who use their mobile phones unnecessarily and those who do not.
“It is wrong for public servants to use mobile phones unnecessarily during office hours. In such cases, the relevant heads of the institutions should take action against such officials individually. However, just because there are some public servants who use mobile phones in such a manner, the Government cannot restrict the use of mobile phones by all public servants. How can anyone fulfil their duties properly and efficiently in the midst of such limitations? If there are any preparations to do so, we will definitely initiate appropriate trade union action,” added Basnayake.
Claiming that public servants in certain offices are excessively using social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp during office hours, Hapuhinna said on Monday that tough action would be taken against such officials. Towards that end, he said, the possibility of issuing a circular on the use of mobile phones during office hours will be considered.
Claiming that employees in certain private sector offices have to place their mobile phones in a locker when starting work and only retrieve them when leaving these offices, he said that he would not hesitate to take similar decisions if required.