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Doing away with political victimization

There is bound to be widespread relief over the news that the Government is in the process of adopting guidelines to resolve problems relating to political victimization.

Over the years, political victimization has grown to the proportions of almost a perennial problem and efforts by the State to see an end to it are likely to eliminate, to a considerable degree, the bitterness and acrimony widely prevalent in sections of particularly, the public sector.

Presenting Government policy on this thorny issue, Cabinet spokesman Prof. G.L. Peiris was quoted saying that it was the aim of the Government to address political victimization "in an environment that is devoid of political involvement." He stressed the need to put in place a procedure for the resolution of the problem which would enjoy the confidence of society.

That is, a procedure which is both objective and transparent.

While the public could be glad that the Government is facing the problem of political victimization squarely and is in the process of creating the mechanisms which could ensure its resolution, the task has to yield, early positive results if public confidence in the process is to be generated.

Lengthy, lethargic bureaucratic procedures and slowfooted handling of grievances and allegations, usually breed popular disenchantment.

In working out a fool-proof procedure for the handling of such disputes, all relevant sections of opinion, including those of a political nature, need to be consulted. Thus will be yielded a broad-based consensus on a transparent and result-oriented dispute-resolution procedure.

The Government did well to coopt the opposition into two committees which were to probe post-election violence and the same arrangement should be adopted in evolving a procedure for the elimination of political victimization.

We are also of the opinion that sound research has to be conducted on the human and other costs of political victimization. There is no doubt that the public service has suffered immeasurably as a result of the political victimization of public servants over the years.

Victimization of this nature demoralizes employees and leads to heart-burn, bitterness and divisive polarities in workplaces. An end result of this situation is diminishing worker productivity.

These considerations should point to the need for the speedy implementation of the 17th Amendment to the constitution, which, among other things, provides for an Independent Public Service Commission. National progress is inconceivable without a healthy and happy public sector. One of the avenues to this aim is the depoliticization of Government service.

There is no getting away from the fact that the task of depoliticizing the public service can no longer be delayed. Quick, positive action is the crying need.

• Editorial of  The Observer - Jams in The Fort 31.01.2002:
  

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