An immediate investigation is warranted on the serious allegations that have been levelled against the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Satama Uitine Tala. This has to be carried out by an independent body.

The longest-serving employee of the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly (O.C.L.A.) Taikerise Moe wrote a letter to the Prime Minister before she was fired. Her action was called a breach of office policy.

This is a woman who has served the government for 34 years. She has worked under various Speakers and Clerks and knows the conduct expected of leaders. What would make her write a letter to the Prime Minister? She had just six months left as she had already retired.

Ms. Moe wrote that she was informed by the Clerk that policies forbade staff from stepping into the Speaker’s office to address issues. This prompted her letter to the Prime Minister.

She stated if staff are forbidden to seek refuge under the Speaker, then who will they go to for assistance on matters concerning the relationship between employees and the Clerk?

The former principal officer alleged the Clerk's treatment towards staff amounted to harassment and discrimination claiming staff were afraid of speaking up in fear of losing their jobs.

Ms. Moe claimed young female staff were being called inappropriate names by the Clerk, a practice she frowned upon. She added this treatment influenced other office men's behaviour towards women and affected women's space at the office and in the Samoan culture. 

There were also allegations of unprofessional conduct, conflict of interest and nepotism alleging certain staff were given special treatment such as travel benefits.

Satama has denied the allegations and is adamant that the termination was because of a breach of policy.

The allegations are serious. It is alleged that employees have no means to raise their concerns if they are against the Clerk, and there are allegations of improper conduct against female staff that has promoted such behaviour by other men against female co-workers.

There is also an allegation that officer workers were used to do renovation work at the Clerk’s home. This is abuse of office, if the allegations hold any ground.

These are not allegations that need to be pushed aside because it was done by a disgruntled employee. This needs intervention from the Speaker and the Public Service Commission. An independent investigation has to be held where the investigators have no affiliation to any side.

According to the letter, staff members in the office are afraid to talk because of fear of victimisation. The submissions or so-called evidence by these staff should be kept confidential and all staff should be interviewed. They have to be offered protection.

An investigation would either prove the allegations were baseless and clear the Clerk of the wrongdoings he has been accused of or show that Ms. Moe was right.

This whole incident also showed that there was no protection offered to the person throwing light on wrongful practices at the workplace. She was exposed and then told to go home because she had breached a policy. Satama has not yet elaborated on what policy this might have been.

The allegations against Satama show harmful leadership behaviours. Such behaviour creates unhealthy or toxic working environments both physically and mentally.

No person is perfect, and by extension, no leader is either. Even the best make mistakes and fail sometimes. If there has been criticism and feedback this is an opportunity to balance development.

Good leadership in a government ministry or department will promote a good working culture and it would make the work process efficient. If this is achieved, the public will be served better. This also is an opportune time to look at work policies in government.

These policies should be uniform across all government offices and even the leaders of these offices should be subjected to these policies. Government should be an efficient machinery and this is only achieved through good leadership and sound policies.

We urge that an investigation be done. The best thing that could come out of it would be highlighting areas and behaviours that need to be improved.