JEDDAH, 25 April 2008 — Government employees have been instructed to strictly follow their working hours or face punitive action, according to a circular issued by the Control and Investigation Board. The board reports directly to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and was established to monitor activities of government departments and employees and their performance.
The circular, which has been sent to ministries and government departments, told public servants that arrival at and leaving of offices would be strictly monitored to make sure they follow the working hours.
The board has insisted that officials holding high positions must be the first to follow their duty hours to set a good example for others. “Nobody is allowed to arrive late at offices even by five minutes and to leave before the end of duty hours.”
The circular contained a list of officials who have been found not following their working hours in the past. “No leniency will be shown to employees who do not abide by official instructions,” it added.
The governmental organization has been given the authority to question officials who commit mistakes or involved in corruption. It has already instructed all government departments to make sure that their employees keep time while arriving at offices and leaving them.
“Those who do not follow this instruction will be punished according to the law,” said the circular, which was published in Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper yesterday. The board warned that violators could lose their jobs.
Meanwhile, the board has told ministries and government departments to respond quickly to its questions and observations. Any delay in this matter would be considered as negligence from their part, it warned.
