Civil service still awaiting punch clocks

The 2005 collective agreement for government workers envisioned the introduction of electronic punch clocks by 2010. But most government departments still lack these devices and workers are still signing attendance sheets

When contacted, Principle Permanent Secretary Godwin Grima explained that a tender for the provision of an automatic verification (AV) system and its supporting software was issued in May 2010. Two bidders, Dakar and AISTL, have been contracted under an "enabling framework".

But the tendering process has taken longer then anticipated, because an appeal was lodged by one of the unsuccessful bidders.

In the meantime, some standalone AV devices have already been installed in a number of locations and these will be integrated in the "holistic" system in due course, Grima said.

Various administrative steps have also been taken to strengthen the human resources structures of departments. In the 2005, the government and the unions had agreed to introduce modern mechanical or electronic systems for the purpose of security, recording attendance, salary computations and audit trails.

According to Grima, the AV system is part of a revamp of human resource systems in the public service.

In fact, government has already totally replaced its payroll system during 2011. The procurement of 'attendance verification devices' is another building block intended to complement these systems.

As from November 2009, payroll responsibility was transferred from the Treasury to the Public Administration HR Office (PAHRO). Attendance in the public service is also being monitored by means of "standalone systems" whereby attendance is transmitted on a daily basis to the central HR Section within each Ministry. This interim measure commenced during October 2009.

The Malta Union of Nurses and Midwives said the 2005 agreement specifically states that for the health division to introduce any electronic system, this must be a homogenous system to all departments and to all employees irrespective of position or rank of the employee. "Since the doctors' union (MAM) did not the sign the 2005 agreement over a disagreement on the punch clock, the government could not implement the electronic system," the MUMN said.