The Cabinet Division has directed all officials and employees of government, semi-government and autonomous institutions to strictly follow prescribed office hours in a move to strengthen good governance. Field-level officials and employees must obtain prior approval from the appropriate authority before leaving their workplace on weekly or other holidays, the letter said. On Monday, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued a separate office order declaring unauthorised absence, late arrival and early departure to be punishable offences. Under the order, officials and employees are required to be present at their respective offices by 9:00am on working days and may not leave before the end of official hours. The directive further states that officials seeking to leave the office for official or urgent reasons must obtain prior permission from the head of the relevant sub-division, such as a Joint Secretary or Solicitor.
