“If anyone seeks to consume kava in their offices, they need to get approval from their per- manent secretaries,” Mr Chand said.
Ministry of Civil Service Permanent Secretary Parmesh Chand is reminding civil servants that mixing and consumption of kava in government offices is not allowed unless approved for special occasions.
Mr Chand said a circular would soon be sent around to permanent secretaries reminding them of this policy and its enforcement in government offices.
Mr Chand said the policy had always existed that prohibit civil servants from doing this in public offices.
“If anyone seeks to consume kava in their offices, they need to get approval from their permanent secretaries,” Mr Chand said.
“If there is no approval, no one is supposed to be drinking kava and not during working hours in government offices.”
He said the Ministry of Civil Service was focusing on the health and wellbeing of civil servants and efficient service delivery to the people whom they are supposed to serve.
Complaints had been received by the Fiji Sun from concerned members of the public on a number of government ministries and offices consuming kava during working hours.
Mr Chand said ‘this is simply no no’.
“We are trying to promote a healthy environment where health and well-being is promoted in government offices,” he said.
“We want to have healthy eating and healthy living champions that will be promoted in the ministry.
“We want to combine this with the wellness programmes we have, goes with the issue of mental wellbeing and sports day within ministries, we used to have that before.”
Story by: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj
