Contrary to suggestions that staff welfare is being willfully neglected, the fact of the matter is that the Directorate has, during the tenure of Brigadier (Retired) Peter Fana Magosi undertaken a systematic approach to analyzing such issues with the view to providing long term solutions fitting for an intelligence organisation.
While resolution of welfare matters typically takes a long time, the truth is that interventions continue to be implemented from time to time, contrary to the suggestion that nothing is being done. This is why the Directorate continually updates staff on steps being taken to implement Court of Appeal judgement on multiple titling and grading of C- Band positions.
The issue cuts across all government ministries. To date, all affected employees in the directorate have been appropriately graded, with payment of salary arrears the only remaining hurdle to fully comply with the said instruction. The same goes for normalisation of salaries for former government security officers who have since been absorbed by the Directorate.
It should be noted that back pay issues straddle timelines that go as far back as 2009. This unfortunately prolongs the time frame within which to address all the identified issues. The Directorate acknowledges that this understandably results in the evident frustration among affected staff members and this is highly regrettable.
The Directorate management assures staff and members of the public that concrete steps are being taken to address staff welfare issues. The Director General continues to engage his principals in government to resolve all the concerned issues reasonably and with the sensitivity they deserve. The Directorate further wishes to assure the public that, contrary to media reports, employees of the Directorate remain disciplined professionals who are committed to their work despite identified welfare challenges.
Edward ROBERT*is DIS public relations and protocol director
