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