Tautua party whip Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi is questioning the power of the Public Service Commission (P.S.C) to veto decisions made by panels for Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) posts.
He believes that P.S.C. and the chairman overturning decisions already made by a panel is an “insult” to these people.
“It is insulting the integrity that includes high profile CEO’s and senior staff.” Panels include representatives of P.S.C, yet the decision still is overturned, said the opposition whip.
He is also alleging that this is an unusual practise. Lealailepule alleges that this practise is recent, since the appointment of Tu’u’u Dr Ieti Taulealo as P.S.C. Chairman.
Although the Commission has the legal right to overturn decisions made by a panel under the P.S.C. Act Lealailepule believes an amendment is necessary.
He questions “where the fairness is” in this power by the P.S.C to overturn panel decisions. He claims that the Commission has been given too much power and authority under the P.S.C. Act.
The matter was first raised by Lealailepule on Wednesday during the Samoa Tautua party’s weekly press conference.
But he spoke further on the matter in a follow up interview with this newspaper.
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Lealailepule said that Tautua has been approached by members the public including those who have been affected greatly by the commission veto powers.
He said the latest example is an appointment to Statistics.
It is an “abuse of power under regulations – it should be amended because that part of the act doesn’t produce fairness and balance.
“It’s giving P.S.C. total power - full power granted to them under the act to appoint people without giving the department people the opportunity to appeal.
Lealailepule said this happening too often.
Veto decisions were often in favour of those living outside Samoa.
Applicants and those removed from their post should be given the right to appeal such decisions, he said.
“Currently those in these situations don’t have the right to appeal.
“They should have that right to know why they have been removed from their post and the right to appeal such decisions.”
The commission constantly promotes transparency and accountability but lacks those same qualities around its own appointment processes, he said.
Many of those losing their jobs have served many years of service. Qualifying for a job shouldn’t just depend on educational qualifications but also merit and experience, he said.
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