Seeking a risk-free iron-rice bowl has been one of the major
motivations behind the increasingly frenzied rush for civil service
jobs in recent years. Such jobs are regarded as mainly involving
comfortable and easy work and are extremely secure.
Yet, the regulations issued by the State Council yesterday will
possibly end such fantasies for many who are fervently pursuing
positions in government departments.
The regulations, which will take effect from June 1, contain
detailed clauses about six types of disciplinary penalties for
misbehavior or malpractice by civil servants that is not serious
enough to be dealt with by law.
These penalties, including demotion and dismissal, aim to bring
home the principle that civil servants, who are supposed to serve
the interests of the people, must set good examples in terms of
moral integrity.
Those who keep mistresses or refuse to take care of their aged
parents or mistreat their spouses or family members will face the
risk of being dismissed from their posts or fired, according to the
regulations.
Some may argue that such penalties are irrelevant, as the
above-mentioned misbehavior has nothing to do with their jobs and
are personal issues. Yet, such behavior goes beyond even the basic
moral requirements for ordinary citizens. Civil servants, who are
paid by taxpayers, have every reason to toe the moral line. If they
don't, they are not qualified to be civil servants.
In addition, it can hardly be imaginable that those who are
morally corrupt can be expected to wholeheartedly serve the
interests of the general public.
It is unjustifiable to keep in the ranks of the civil service
those who can't play their due role in their positions.
Depravity is characteristic of almost all corrupt officials who
have been punished in the campaign against corruption. Their cases
have verified the connection between personal moral degradation and
corruption. It is always the lust for a decadent life that pushes
officials to abuse their power for personal gain.
The regulations also stipulate that those officials, who
arbitrarily make administrative decisions or arbitrarily change
collectively agreed policies, will face the penalty of being
dismissed from their posts or fired.
These penalties are a good supplement to the existing rules for
maintaining honest and effective governance. What we need is a
mechanism to give them teeth.
(China Daily April 30, 2007)