President of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Mohamed Mujuthaz has stated it has come to their attention that the number of government staff who take leave from work in line with long weekends has increased, with them doing so even when they do not have a justifiable reason to.

While giving an interview to Mihaaru News last week, the issue where staff call out of work on Thursdays for the purposes of a long weekend. While highlighting that they give many excuses for not being able to go into work on that day, Mujuthaz said some staff take leave around government holidays, so as to increase the number of days they get off.

However, he stated not much of an effort has been made to stop the issue due to a lack of the specific rules and regulations.

"...We talk about this a lot. Many staff from many institutions do whatever they can to call out from work on Thursdays in order to get a long weekend. That is what happens," said the CSC President in response to journalist's questions.

Mujuthaz went on to say that while some staff call out of work with sickness as a reason, others do so by stating they were unable to wake up in the morning or to run other errands.

"They are calling out of work for reasons that do not require them to do so," said Mujuthaz in a concerned tone.

However, the recent change to the salary framework includes an attendance allowance. Mujuthaz said there will be a reduction in the allowance on the days staff do not go into the office.

"I believe that while the attendance allowance may not solve the majority of the issue, it should help somewhat," said the CSC President.

But Mujuthaz also said that even though there may be reductions in the attendance allowance, some staff still do call out of work. And so, he said more changes need to be brought about in order to solve the matter.

The recent introduction of the buffer time for civil servants is meant to solve such issues, said Mujuthaz.

The buffer time is meant for the days civil service staff cannot make it to the office on time because of situations that may arise, allowing the adjustment of work times without any additional permission. Official working hours begin at 8:00am and if a staff member cannot get to work on time whatever the situation may be, they have until 8:30am to get to work without being considered late.

Even if such a concession has been given, staff are to work the six hours they are supposed to from the time they get to the office.