By Staff Writer
The Public Service Association, PSA, is calling a rare meeting of all its members at the Catholic Church, Tu’utu’uileloloto Hall, Mulivai, on Saturday morning 4 September 2021.
The association meeting notice made no mention of an agenda but it is very unsettling times in the public service.
Job security fears are high at the CEO and reportedly ACEO levels by what is seen as the new FAST Government sacking spree.
Four CEOs are already out, two are on suspension for lacking the confidence of their political masters and are very likely to be slapped with a resign or be terminated ultimatum.
The former CEO of the Ministry of Finance, Leasiosio Oscar Malielegaoi, lost his job last Friday when he decided to resign 4 months out from the end of his 3-year contract.
More heads of ministries are already targeted by a clean out list the new Government promised if elected.
PSA calls for members to meet are uncommon since it was founded after the crippling 1981 industrial strike in the service.
The Human Rights Opposition Party leader and former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, is blazing away at the FAST Government’s policy of sacking top civil servants as nepotism and corruption.
He said in a statement it is a well-known secret revealed by the Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, herself.
“It was announced by PM Fiame in an angry outburst when the Electoral Commissioner announced the 6th female MP who was an HRPP member giving the General Election’s result of 26-26, for the Human Rights Protection Party and the Fa’atuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party,” Tuilaepa blasted.
Attorney General, Savalenoa Mrs. Mareva Betham-Annandale, is one of the suspended CEOs being forced to defend against the Govt’s ‘lack of confidence’ in her service.
Tuilaepa questioned whether it is a crime in the eyes of PM Fiame and her Cabinet the legal stance by Attorney General Savalenoa to defend the Head of State and the Electoral Commissioner in her official role?
“Thus, for performing her constitutional functions, the Attorney General is being accused of wrongdoing and is currently under suspension.
“The question this raises, is the AG a danger to other illegal and corrupt activities planned by Fiame and her Cabinet Ministers, and indeed the FAST party?
“The observance of the rule of law embodied in the good governance principles followed by the Public Service has dealt a severe blow to the ego of the PM Fiame and her Cabinet.
“The question is which CEOs and ACEOs will next face the axing block?”
Tuilaepa wondered which family members and supporters of FAST, “…with no experience, will be selected to take over top posts with higher salaries justified by exceptionally highfalutin titles!
“All this while ignoring the legal processes laid down in law and conventional practices which created stability under the leadership of the previous Government?”
The opposition leader argued that the recruiting systems before the FAST Govt’s time “.. were established progressively over many years of HRPP custodianship with both Fiame and La’auli sitting in Cabinet and participating in the approval process.”
“It raises the question, is there anyone in the FAST Cabinet with a conscience?”
Tuilaepa claims La’auli, is a bully who seems to be directing all the decision making processes within the party he started.
He would like to know why and where PM Fiame and the Deputy PM stands.
“The process of recruitment of staff in the Public Service of Samoa is well known. It is designed to be open to everyone.
“The selection process from the interview to the final transparent appointment is fair.
“The entitlement as to salary, sick leave, the right to reapply when the contract ends and paths to promotion, are in black and white.
“Public servants have fundamental rights that are protected under the laws of Samoa.
“How can a Government now ignore all the fundamental rights of Public Servants?”
The HRPP leader is puzzled by how the rights in the service are being overlooked after repeated proclamations by the FAST party legal adviser, Taulapapa Brenda Heather-Latu, for the need to observe the Rule of Law in Samoa.
Taulapapa pounded on the issue during the public debate of the three bills passed by Parliament with an overwhelming majority, according to Tuilaepa.
“Let the readers’ judge for themselves as to who is the bigger hypocrite in Samoa today.
“Will the Public Servants Association continue to be tolerant against these abuses?”
Tuilaepa is eager to learn where the PSA will turn “to retain its honour”. He remains adamant that “…the Judiciary cannot be perceived to be truly independent as the final resort to deliver justice to a nation.”
“This is the biggest question to all educated sons and daughters of Samoa today.”