27 Jan 2005

Public Servants will get used to new system, says Fiji Public Service Commission CEO

4:46 pm on 27 January 2005

The chief executive of Fiji's public service commission, Anare Jale, says he expects public servants will settle in to the new management system better this year.

All chief executive officers in the government have been put on notice that they could face the sack if they fail to meet their performance targets when assessed next month.

This follows the sacking of the chief executive of the finance ministry, Tevita Banuve, earlier this week, for failing to meet his targets.

Annual performance assessments are part of contractual agreements with CEOs since the beginning of last year but have been criticised by the Public Service Association as being unworkable.

However, Mr Jale says it's natural to have some teething problems with a new system, although he expects things to be more understood after a trial year.

"It's always the case in a new system that's introduced - there's going to be resistance. The unions resisted the change; they resisted the contracting of the Chief Executive Officer positions, but they took the matter to court and the court has ruled for the government."

Anare Jale