Civil Servants, including Permanent Secretaries, will not receive cash compensation for any unused leave days, the Ministry of Civil Service has stated in a circular issued on December 4, 2024.
Permanent Secretary, Parmesh Chand states the increasing tendency of officers accumulating and not utilizing annual leave or Time off-In-Lieu (TOIL) has warranted a review of the important issue of leave administration.
He states an officer can only carry forward a maximum of twelve (12) working days of their annual leave entitlement from one year to another.
“Therefore, there should be no justification for the accumulation of annual leave beyond what is permissible, nor payment of compensation in lieu, if leave is properly administered,” states Mr Chand in the circular.
He said civil servants should be released to take their annual leave when it is due, or within six months, if deferred.
“Extension beyond six (6) months should be discouraged, and Management must ensure officers take their leave immediately after the six-month extension.”
“Civil Servants, including Permanent Secretaries, will not receive cash compensation for any unused leave days, which are not properly authorized for deferment or rollover.”
“Additionally, officers are reminded to utilize their accrued TOIL with in six (6) months from the date it is earned.”
Officers transferred from one Ministry to another should take all leave due prior to resuming their duties in their new Ministry.
