Civil servants have been reminded to comply with established communication and grievance-handling protocols, following a recent warning from the Ministry of Civil Service that any deviation from these procedures could result in disciplinary measures.
In a circular dated December 22, 2025, Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Civil Service, Pita Tagicakirewa, emphasized the necessity of adhering to the administrative hierarchy for all official communications. “The purpose of this Circular is to reiterate and reinforce the requirement for all Civil Servants to strictly adhere to the established channels of communication and grievance-handling mechanisms,” he stated.
The circular specifies that any employment-related concerns—such as issues regarding discipline, remuneration, and working conditions—should initially be raised with an immediate supervisor. From there, issues can be escalated through the appropriate channels, including heads of units, departments, permanent secretaries, and potentially the Public Service Commission as applicable.
Moreover, direct communications that circumvent these established channels are said to “undermine established governance structures, accountability, and effective management within the Civil Service,” hence such practices are strongly discouraged. Civil servants are advised against addressing grievances directly with ministers, as ministers’ roles are primarily focused on policy direction and political oversight, making them inappropriate contacts for individual employment issues.
Permanent secretaries have been instructed to circulate this guideline, inform staff about its contents, and ensure adherence to the protocols, with any infringements potentially leading to disciplinary consequences. This reinforces the importance of maintaining a structured and accountable system within the civil service, fostering an environment of effective management and governance.
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