Stitch in time, fire nine?

Stitch in time, fire nine?

From Media Indonesia

One of the aspects of corruption that has not received the
attention it deserves is that of time. Post-Idul Fitri spot
checks conducted by the minister for administrative reforms
(Menpan) have revealed high rates of absenteeism among civil
servants despite the length of the holidays.

This should serve as a basis for evaluating the extent of the
losses suffered by society in connection with the effort to
create good governance. Besides, an assessment can be made to
ascertain whether the employees who skip work are really needed
by the agencies in which they work.

In turn, the results of such assessments could be used to
determine whether the units where employees are often absent
should be maintained. A policy of restructuring could therefore
be pursued.

Meanwhile, the minister of administrative reforms' plan to
impose pay cuts in no way addresses the urgent matters described
above and will not put an end to disguised unemployment. Civil
servants' absenteeism should thus be linked to the enhancement of
bureaucratic effectiveness and efficiency, rather than merely the
promotion of discipline.

P. HAPSORO

Jakarta