AN EXPLORATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FIJI’S PUBLIC SERVICE CODE OF CONDUCT

In the Pacific region, public service codes of conduct establish standards by which behavior is often judged proper, or otherwise, for public service officials. However, current research indicates there is very little evidence within Pacific Island Countries (PICs) to demonstrate whether approved Public Service Commission (PSC) codes of conduct are really ensuring that public service officials are able to maintain even minimal standards of professional and personal conduct. One of the promises of the early 1990’s civil service reform in Fiji was to build a highly ethical and professional civil service. A Code of Conduct for all public service officials in Fiji came into effect under the Public Service Act of 1999. This study aims to explore and describe the perceived effectiveness of code of conduct in Fiji’s public service. There are in fact external controls in place to keep public officials in line; however, there seems to be limited awareness and weak monitoring of the code in individual ministries and line departments to ensure it is strictly and constantly upheld. Special measure to support understanding, awareness and adherence to code of conduct also seems to be missing.