The Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government has come under criticism over its recent statement that strict action will be taken against public
officials who use mobile phones during office hours, especially to access social media platforms.
One of the alleged reasons for this statement is the notion that the use of mobile phones by
on-duty officials is the main reason for shortcomings in the delivery of public services.
Leading public sector trade unions have expressed concern over this statement, pointing out
that while they do not object to measures being taken against public officials who use mobile
phones unnecessarily during office hours, these measures should not result in restricting mobile
phone use in a manner that negatively affects all public officials.
As many parties including trade unionists have observed, there is no doubt that all possible
measures should be taken to ensure that the public sector functions effectively and efficiently, in
a manner that does not squander public funds, and that those measures too should be effective
and efficient. However, as they stressed, these measures should also be practical. At a juncture
where the country is serious about reforming and restructuring its public sector, it is also
important to ensure that these measures suit modern-day needs and circumstances. In addition,
it must be realised that it is important to grant these public officials the freedom to use mobile
phones as well as social media platforms and mobile communication applications, which have
become extremely useful in efficiently performing many aspects of their duties. This should
definitely be taken into account in discussions on public sector reforms, because in this day and
age, adopting technology could immensely support the reforms the Government aims to
achieve.
However, there are doubts over the extent to which restricting mobile phone use by public
officials could improve the public sector. First and foremost, the authorities must understand that
improving the services provided by the public sector entails improving both the quality of
services provided and the quantity of people receiving this quality service. A properly functioning
public sector cannot be ensured merely through taking measures to compel public officials to
limit their mobile phone use, when in reality, they need to be persuaded and encouraged to
willingly pay more attention to their duties.
When laws and regulations are imposed to compel instead of encourage workers – in this case,
public sector officials – they lose the sense of freedom they enjoy at the workplace, which is
highly likely to result in their performance deteriorating, not improving. Given the fact that social
media platforms are used by a considerable segment of users merely for relaxation, losing
access to such relaxation, even within limits, could thus negatively affect these officials’
performance.
Moreover, Sri Lankan authorities are trying to restrict public officials’ freedom in a context where
developed and developing countries are seeking to reduce the number of workdays and working
hours, and promote more relaxed and flexible work environments. In other words, Sri Lanka is
still stuck in the traditional concept of employee performance being based on the number of
days or hours an employee works, when other countries have moved forward to recognise and
reward employees’ performance based on the quality of their work.
The country is at a juncture where it needs innovative and effective reforms, and those are essential if the country is to reverse decades of backward thinking. The authorities should look at how employees’ productivity-related issues can be addressed in an effective manner. They
have to realise that the increased use of technology, flexible working environments and working
hours, more freedom to be innovative, and encouragement are what increases productivity – not
increased restrictions.