“Commission”  means  the  Public  Service  Commission  established

bysection136of theConstitution;

“collectivebargaining”meansaprocessofnegotiationsenteredinto

betweenaregisteredpublicofficers`associationandthe employerin respectofanymatterofmutualinterest,withthepurposeofreaching acollectivebargainingagreement;

“bargainingunit”  meansallpublicofficersonGradeHandbelow;

“agency”   means  any  organisation  that  is  statutorily  engaged  in

carryingoutGovernmentbusiness;

InthisAct,unlessthecontextotherwiserequires-

4.

Interpretation

theConstitutiontotheextentthereinspecified.

ThisActdoesnotapplytotheofficesspecifiedinsection137(3)of

3.

Application

andeffectivelymanagedpublicservice.

TheobjectofthisActistodevelopandmaintainastable,efficient

2.

ObjectoftheAct

intooperationonsuchdateordatesastheMinistermay,bynoticepublished

intheGazette,determine.

ThisActmaybecitedasthePublicServiceAct2005andshallcome

1.

Shorttitleandcommencement

PARTI-PRELIMINARY

EnactedbytheParliamentofLesotho

AnActtomakeprovisioninrespectofthepublicserviceofLesothoand

forrelatedmatters.

PUBLIC  SERVICEACT2005

2

“properauthority”meansapersonwhooranauthoritywhichunder

thisActhaspowertodirectapublicofficerintheperformanceofhis or herduties;

“prescribed”meansprescribedbytheregulations;

“Minister”meanstheMinisterresponsibleforthepublicservice;

“Head  ofDepartment”meansapublicofficerwhoisinchargeofa

departmentoranagencyunderhisorhersupervisionoranyother publicofficerdesignatedas suchbytheMinister;

“grievance”meansafeelingofdissatisfactionorinjusticewhicha

publicofficerencountersintheworkplaceandisformallybroughtto theattentionoftheemployer;

“essential   service”   means  a  service  the  interruption   of  which

endangersthelife,personalsafetyorhealthofthewholeoranypart of thepopulation;

“employer”  means  the  Government   of  Lesotho  represented  by

ministries,departmentsandagencies;

whichapublicofficeroremployerdoesnothaveanestablishedright;

mattersto

“disputeofinterest”meansadisputeoveremployment

breach  or

collective

“dispute  of  right”  means  a  dispute  arising  from  a

contravention   of   a   law,    contract   of   employment   or bargainingagreement;

“disciplinaryaction”  meansaformalorinformalactiontakenby

managementagainstapublicofficerwhofailstoconformwiththe rulesandregulationsgoverningpublicofficersor has  committedany othermisconduct;

“Council”meansthePublicServiceJointAdvisoryCouncil

establishedundersection23;

“Conciliation  Board”  means  a  board  established  under  section

17;

“Constitution”meanstheconstitutionof Lesotho;

3

Appointmenttothepublicserviceshallbe on-

(1)

7.

Appointment tothepublicservice

such

such

confirmappointments)  andthepowertoterminate  appointments  of

persons,savethepowertodisciplineandterminateappointmentsof officersfordisciplinaryreasons,isvestedintheCommission.

personstoholdoractinofficesinthepublicservice(includingthepowerto

SubjecttotheprovisionsoftheConstitution,  thepowertoappoint

6.

PowersoftheCommission

Constitution  that  relate  to  the  public  service,  public  offices  and  public

officers.

TheprovisionsofthisActareancillarytothoseprovisions  ofthe

5.

Actis ancillarytotheConstitution

“Tribunal”  means  the  Public  Service  Tribunal  established  under

section20.

“strike”  means  the  withdrawal  of  labour  by  public  officers  in

furtheranceofa  workplacedispute;

“retrenchment”meanstheterminationofemploymentarisingfroma

redundancycausedbythere-organisationofaministryordepartment orreductionofanestablishmentforeconomicortechnological   and operationalreasons;

“publicservice” hasthemeaningassignedtoitintheConstitution;

“Public  Officers’  Association”   means  anassociation  that  maybe

formedbypublicofficersundersection22;

“publicofficer”hasthemeaningassignedtoitin theConstitution;

4

maymakeprovisionforalloranyofthefollowingmatters-

Withoutlimitingthegeneralityofsubsection(1),theMinister

(2)

anyotherlawrelatingtothepublicservice,theMinistermay(subjecttothe

priorconcurrenceof theMinisterresponsibleforFinanceinrespectofany matterinvolvingthe expenditureofpublicfunds)dowhat,inhisopinion,is necessaryorexpedientforgivingeffecttotheobjectsof thisActorfor enablingeffecttobe giventhereto.

SubjecttotheprovisionsoftheConstitutionandofthisActor

(1)

10.

PowersoftheMinister

orparastatalorganisationforaperiodnotexceeding3years.

Apublicofficermay,withhisorherconsent,besecondedtoaprivate

9.

Secondmenttoprivateorparastatalorganisation

candidateswho,intheviewoftheCommission,arenotqualifiedforthejob.

The  Commission  shall  have  the  power  to  reject  short  listed

(3)

service,  the  Commission  shall  have  regard  primarily  to  the  need  for

promotingefficiencywithinthepublicservice.

Inselectingcandidatesforappointmenttoapostinthepublic

(2)

basedonmerit,namely:ability,qualifications,knowledge,skillandaptitude

afterafairandopencompetitionwhichassuresthatallcitizensofLesotho receiveequalopportunity.

Entryintoandadvancementwithinthepublicserviceshallbe

(1)

8.

Entryandadvancementtobebasedonmerit

coming  into  operation  of  this  Act  shall  be  appointed  under  any  of  the

appointmentssetoutinsub-section(1),andtheconditionsofemployment madeunderthisAct.

personwhoisappointed  tothepublicservice  afterthe

Any

(2)

casuallabourterms.

(d)

temporaryterms;

(c)

contractterms;

(b)

permanentandpensionableterms;

(a)

5

holdofficeforaperiodofthreeyears.

TheGovernmentSecretaryandthePrincipalSecretariesshall

(2)

appointapersontoholdoractintheofficesofGovernmentSecretaryor

PrincipalSecretaryshallvestinthePrimeMinister,actingafterconsultation withtheCommission.

(1)      Pursuant  tosection  139(1)oftheConstitution,  thepowerto

11.

AppointmentandremovalfromofficeoftheGovernmentSecretaryand

Principal Secretary

policy determinationwithregardtocodeofconduct,

performancemanagement,disciplineandothercareer incidentsofpublicofficersincludinganyothermatter whichrelatestothepromotionofharmoniousrelationships betweentheemployer,officers,officers’representatives andmanagementwithinthepublicservice.

(g)

policy onnorms,standardsandmattersrelatingto

conditionsofemploymentandgeneralwelfareofpublic officers;

(f)

policy forpublicservicetransformationandreforms;

(e)

policy foreffectingeconomiesandpromoting

responsivenessandprovisionof quality services  inthe publicservice;

(d)

policy onsalaryadministration,remunerationandbenefits,

jobevaluationandjobgrading;

(c)

employmentpolicy andanyother  policy thatrelatesto

humanresources,includingbutnotlimitedtopromotions, traininganddevelopment,  publicofficers’relations, retirements,controlandorganisationofministriesand departments;

(b)

policy ontheestablishmentorabolitionofdepartments,

sub-departmentsor offices,andtransferoffunctionsand publicofficersfromonedepartmenttoanother;

(a)

6

undersection96oftheConstitution,  thePrincipal  Secretaryisthechief

accountingand   overallsupervisingofficerofaMinistryunderhisorher supervision.

InadditiontothefunctionsvestedinthePrincipalSecretary

(1)

13.

FunctionsofthePrincipal Secretary

haveoverallresponsibilityover  allpublicofficers.

enterintoperformanceagreementswiththePrincipal

Secretaries,  superviseandmonitortheirperformance;and

(c)

beresponsibleforconveyingthepoliciesanddiscussions

ofGovernmenttotheappropriatepersonorauthorityand forensuringthatthosepoliciesanddiscussionsare properlycarried  outbythatpersonorauthority;

(b)

co-ordinatetheactivitiesofthePrincipalSecretariesand

transmitcommunicationfromthePrincipalSecretariesto

Cabinet;

(a)

section97of theConstitution,theGovernmentSecretaryshall–

InadditiontothefunctionsvestedintheGovernmentSecretaryunder

12.

FunctionsoftheGovernmentSecretary

theGovernmentSecretaryandaPrincipalSecretaryfromofficeshallvestin

thePrimeMinisteractingafterconsultationwiththeCommission.

Notwithstandingsubsections(4)and(5),thepowertoremove

(6)

(5)      Thedisciplinarypowerreferredtoinsubsection(4)shallbe

exercisedinaccordancewiththe provisionsoftheDisciplinaryCodeand, wheredismissalofa PrincipalSecretaryis contemplated,theGovernment SecretaryshallrecommendsuchdismissaltothePrimeMinister.

SecretaryshallvestintheGovernmentSecretaryand,thepowertoexercise

disciplinarycontrolovertheGovernmentSecretaryshallvestinthePrime

Minister.

The  power  to  exercise  disciplinary  control  over  a  Principal

(4)

SecretaryandaPrincipalSecretarywhichalreadyexistsatthecominginto

operationofthisAct.

Subsection(2)shallnotapplytoacontractoftheGovernment

(3)

7

outbytheMinister.

Theconditionsofemploymentforpublicofficersshallbeasset

(1)

14.

Conditionsofemployment

PARTII-CONDITIONSOFEMPLOYMENTANDCONDUCT  OF

PUBLIC  OFFICERS

section  subject  to  the  general  direction   and  control  of  the  Minister

responsiblefortheMinistryconcerned.

The  Principal  Secretaryshall  exercise  thepowers  underthis

(3)

the

department  to  another  within,  and  reorganising

MinistryunderthePrincipal’sSecretary’ssupervision.

(e)      transferring    and    rotating    public   officers    from    one

Act;

of  this

with  the  principles  and  object

deliveredinaccordance

providestothepublicandto otherareasofgovernment  are

Ministry   or

supervision

ensuring    that    the    services   which    the

DepartmentunderthePrincipalSecretary’s

(d)

Ministry   or

supervision;

implementation   of   the    policies   of   the

DepartmentunderthePrincipalSecretary’s

and

initiation,       formulation

in       the

assisting

(c)

individual   workplans   and  to  supervise   and  monitor

theirperformance;

their

supervision      about

Principal       Secretary’s

the

annually  setting  and  agreeing  with  officers  under

(b)

GovernmentSecretary;

the

into     with

entered

agreement

performance

the

the

guideline  and  strategies  for  the  Ministry  under

PrincipalSecretary’ssupervision,inaccordancewith

appropriate

objectives       and

setting       directions,

(a)

Withoutlimitingthegeneralityofsubsection(1),thePrincipal

Secretaryisresponsiblefor–

(2)

8

CodeonRetrenchmentwhichshallprescribethe

proceduretobefollowedwhenretrenchmentis imminentwithinthepublicservice;

(vi)

CodeonDisputeResolutionwhichshallprescribe

theproceduretobefollowedtoresolveanydispute emanatingfromtheworkplace,andshallnotbe applicableinthecaseofPrincipalSecretaryand

theGovernmentSecretary;and

(v)

CodeonCollectiveBargainingwhichshall

guidethepublicofficersandregisteredpublic officers’associationsonhowtobargaincollectively withtheemployeronmattersofmutualinterest withoutoutsideinterference;

(iv)

DisciplinaryCodewhichshallprescribethe

proceduretobefollowedininstitutingdisciplinary actionagainstapublicofficer

whohascommittedamisconduct;

(iii)

GrievanceCodewhichshallprescribetheprocedure

tobefollowedin handlingpublicofficers’

grievances;

(ii)

CodeofConductwhichshallbe primarilyaguide

topublicofficersintheconductoftheir relationshipsanddealingswiththeiremployersand thegeneralpublic;

(i)

prepareand  issue,codesofpracticeforthepurposeof

providingpracticalguidanceinrespectof thisAct includingthefollowingcodes-

(a)

suchpersonsorbodieswhichareintheMinister’sopinionrepresentativeof

theinterestsconcerned-

TheMinistermay,fromtimetotimeandafterconsultationwith

(1)

15.

Codesof practice

(2)      The  Minister  may,  from  time  to  time  revise  or  amend  the

conditionsofemployment,afterconsultationwithsuchpersonsorbodies whichareintheMinister’sopinionrepresentativeof theinterestsconcerned.

9

fundsorproperty;

thesafetyandsecurityofpersonsorpublic

(a)

(10)    TheHeadofDepartmentmay,havingregardto–

admissibleinevidence,andifanyprovisionofsuchacodeappearstothe

courtconductingtheproceedingstoberelevanttoanyquestionarisinginthe proceedings,it shallbetakenintoaccountindeterminingthatquestion.

Inallcriminalandcivilproceedings  anysuchcodeshallbe

(9)

includetherighttoberepresentedbyalegalpractitioner

The  right  to  representation  under  subsection  (7)  does  not

(8)

subsection(1)(a)(ii)and(iii)mayberepresentedbyanotherpublicofficer

fromhisorherMinistryorassociation,ifthepublicofficerisamemberof anassociation.

A  public  officer  who  is  a  party  in  any  proceedings  under

(7)

containedinaCodeofConductissuedunderthissectionshallconstitutea

misconductrenderingthepublicofficerliabletoproceedingsandsanctions assetoutintheCodeofConduct.

Failureonthepartofapublicofficertofollowanyprovision

(6)

ofthecodepassedParliamentunderthissectiontobemadeavailableto

publicofficersand   thepublicwithin15daysafterthedateonwhichthe codeandtherevisionofthecodeweresolaid.

TheMinistershallcauseacodeincludingarevision

(5)

alterationsbenotmade,theMinistershallnotissuethecodeorrevisedcode,

butmaystilllayfurthercodesorproposedalterationsbeforeParliament.

IfParliamentresolvesthatthecodesbenotissuedorproposed

(4)

subordinatelegislationundersections27Aand27BoftheInterpretationAct

19771,shallapplywithmodificationsandadaptations,tothecodeor revisionofacodereferredto insubsection(2).

Theprocedureapplicabletoallowanceanddisallowanceof

(3)

revisionofsuchacodeinpursuanceof thissection,shallbelaidbefore

Parliament,andtheMinistershallnotissuethecodeorrevisedcode,until afterthecodehasbeenpassedbyParliament.

Acodepreparedandanyalterationproposedtobemadeona

(2)

reviseanycodereferredtoinparagraph(a).

(b)

10

arbitrationunlessthepartiesagreeotherwise.

Alldisputesinvolvingessentialservicesshallberesolvedby

(3)

arbitrationunlessthepartiesinvolvedhaveagreed.

Amatterinvolvingadisputeofrightshallnotbereferredto

(2)

Disputesof rightmayberesolvedbyarbitration.

(1)

18.

Arbitration

(4)      ThedecisionoftheConciliationBoardshallnotbebindingon

theparties.

shallassignapersontoconstitutetheConciliationBoard.

WheretheCommissionisapartytoadispute,theMinister

(3)

constitutetheConciliationBoard.

The   Commission   shall   nominate   one  of   its   members   to

(2)

disputesof interest.

There  shall  be  a  Conciliation  Board  which  shall  conciliate

(1)

17.

ConciliationBoard

16.  In  any  proceedings  under  this  Part,  a  party  to  the  dispute  may  be

representedbyalegalpractitioner.

LegalRepresentation

PARTIII–SETTLEMENTOFDISPUTES

(11)    Notwithstandingsubsection(6),apublicofficerwhohasbeen

convicted  of  a  criminal  offence  shall  be  summarily  dismissed  from  the publicserviceonthebasisof thatconviction.

suspendapublicofficer,onfullpay,pendingadisciplinaryenquiry.

othercircumstances,

(c)

theprocessofinvestigations;and

(b)

11

TheTribunalshall-

(7)

adeliberatevote,andinthecaseofanequalityofvotesshallalso

haveacastingvote.

At   ameetingoftheTribunalthechairpersonshallhave

(6)

Twomembersof theTribunalshallformaquorum.

(5)

exceedingfiveyears.

AmemberoftheTribunalshallholdofficeforatermnot

(4)

TribunaltobepublishedintheGazette.

TheMinister  shallcausethenamesofmembersofthe

(3)

twoothermembers,oneofwhomshallhaveexperience

of notlessthan10yearsinadministrationandpublic affairsappointedbytheCommissionafterconsultation withtheMinister,andtheothershallhaveexperiencein humanresourcemanagementandshallbe appointedby theMinister.

(b)

achairpersonwhoshallbealegalpractitionerofnotless

than5yearsstandingandshallbeappointedbythe JudicialServiceCommissionafterconsultationwiththe Minister;and

(a)

TheTribunalshallconsistof-

(2)

appeals  instigated  by  either  a  public  officer,  registered  public  officers’

association,oremployerarisingfromagrievanceanddisciplinaryaction.

ThereshallbeaPublicServiceTribunalwhichshalldealwith

(1)

20.

PublicService Tribunal

withinaccordancewiththeDisciplinaryCode.

Apublicofficerwhocontravenessubsection(1)shallbedealt

(2)

Publicofficersshallnotengageinastrike.

(1)

19.

Strike

parties,butreviewableinthecourtsoflaw.

Thedecisionofthearbitrationshallbefinalandbindingonthe

(4)

12

(2)      The  Council  shall  consist  of  an  equal  number  of  members

appointedby theMinisterandmembersappointedby anyregistered association  representingthegeneralbodyofpublicofficersinthepublic serviceofLesotho.

undersection22(2)isrepresentativeofover50%ofthegeneralbodyofthe

publicofficersfromwithinthebargainingunit,shallestablishacounciltobe knownasthe  PublicServiceJointAdvisoryCouncil.

TheMinister,ifsatisfiedthatanassociationwhichhasapplied

(1)

23.

PublicServiceJointAdvisoryCouncil

(2)Anassociationwhichisrepresentativeofover50%ofthegeneral

bodyofpublicofficersfromwithinthebargainingunitmayapplytothe

Ministerforrecognitionforpurposesofcollectivebargaining.

officers’association  undertheprovisionsoftheSocietiesAct19662  forthe purposeofcollectivebargainingandethicalconductofitsmembers.

Inpursuanceofsection21,publicofficersmayformapublic

(1)

22.

Publicofficers’associations

accordancewithsection16(1)oftheConstitution.

Public   officers   shall   be   entitled   to   freedom   of   association   in

21.

FreedomofAssociation

PARTIV-PUBLIC  SERVICESTAFFASSOCIATION

the  Minister  may,  after  consultation  with  the  Minister  responsible  for

finance,determine.

MembersoftheTribunalshallreceivesuchsittingallowanceas

(9)

thepublicservice.

TheTribunalshallhaveasecretariatwhoseofficersshallbein

(8)

(b)    intheabsenceofthechairperson,appointoneof  its

memberstoactaschairperson.

(a)     regulateitsownprocedure;and

13

toconcludeandenforcecollectivebargaining

agreements;

(c)

tosecurecooperationbetweentheemployerandthe

generalbodyofpublicofficersinmattersaffectingthe publicservicewithaviewtoincreaseefficiencyinthe publicservicecombinedwiththe well-beingof public officers;

(b)

todevelopproposalsforsubmissiontotheMinister

onpolicyandlegislationthatmayaffectthepublic service;

(a)

TheobjectsoftheCouncilare-

(1)

25.

FunctionsoftheCouncil

TheMinistershallcausetherulestobepublishedintheGazette.

(2)

(g)

fortheproceduretobefollowedifadisputearises

betweenthe  membersappointedbytheMinisterandthe membersappointedbyaregisteredassociation;and

fortheterminationofmembershipoftheCouncil.

(f)

fortheestablishmentandfunctioningofcommitteesthat

maybeestablishedbytheCouncil;

(e)

forthetenureof officeofmembers;

(d)

foraquorumatmeetingsoftheCouncil;

(c)

fortheorganisation,  procedureandconductof

businessof theCouncil;

(b)

forthequalificationsofthemembers;

(a)

TheMinistershallprescriberules–

(1)

24.

RulesoftheCouncil

of theCouncil.

TheMinistershallappointachairperson  fromamongmembers

(3)

14

60years.

electtoretireon  attainingtheageof 55or

(b)

attainingtheageof 45or 50years;or

electtovoluntarilyretirefromthePublicServiceon

(a)

employedinthePublicServiceonthecomingintoforceofthisActshall,

withinaperiodandinamannertobe prescribedbytheMinister–

Notwithstandingsubsection(1)and(2),apublicofficeralready

(4)

GradeIandaboveshallgive3calendarmonths’noticepriortotheintended

dayofretirement.  OfficersonGradeHandbelowshallgiveonecalendar month.

Wherenotificationisgivenundersubsection  (2),officerson

(3)

SecretaryofhisorherMinistry,voluntarilyretirefromthepublicserviceon

attainingtheageof 50years.

A  public  officer  may,  by  written  notice  to  the  Principal

(2)

soretired,onattainingtheageof60years.

Apublicofficershallretirefromthepublicservice,andshallbe

(1)

26.

Retirement

PARTV-RETIREMENTOFPUBLIC  OFFICERS

CouncilandmaylimitthediscussionsoftheCounciltomattersofgeneral

principle,andexcludediscussionof individualcases.

Minister  shall  prescribe  the  scope  and  functions  of  the

The

(2)

generallytobringtogethertheexperienceand

differentpointsofviewofrepresentativesof departments,sub-departments,branchesandofficesof thepublicservice.

(f)

toprovidemachineryfordealingwith  general

grievances;and

(e)

topreventandresolvedisputes;

(d)

15

Regulations

Ministerwhoshallwithin15sittingdaysafterreceivingthereporttableit

beforetheParliament.

AreportpreparedbytheCommissionshallbepresentedtothe

(2)

of Decembereachyear,prepareareportonitsworkforthatyear.

(1)

28.

TheCommissionshallassoonaspracticableafterthe31st  day

Annual  ReportoftheCommission

withthisAct.

ThestaffoftheCommissionshallbeemployedinaccordance

(2)

effectivelycarry outitsfunctions.

TheCommissionshallhavesuchqualifiedstaffastoallowitto

(1)

27.

StaffoftheCommission

PARTVI-MISCELLANEOUS

forthepurposeoffacilitatingimprovementsinthepublic

servicebywhichgreaterefficiencyoreconomymaybe effected.

(b)

formedicallyprovenincapacitytoperformthe dutiesof

theofficer’soffice;or

(a)

Commission:-

Apublicofficerisliabletoretirementatthediscretionofthe

(7)

regardtotheconditionsofthepublicserviceandafterconsultationwiththe

Ministerandtheofficerconcerned,retireanofficerfromthepublicservice beforeorafterthepublicofficerattainstheage  of 45or 50years.

Notwithstandingsubsection(1),theCommissionmay,having

(6)

employment  shall  be  as  prescribed  bythe  Minister  in  the  conditions  of

employment.

termination    of

for     retirement    or

Other     circumstances

(5)