Interference by the Chairman of the EAC Board of Directors in the Agency’s operations, in violation, as they claim, unanimous decisions of the Board, are denounced by the EAC’s labor unions, which warn of the risk of administrative disintegration of the Organization.

In a letter to the Board of Directors dated June 26, which they made public today, the unions EPOPAI, SIDIKEK-AHK, and SEPAIK refer to “systematic and unconstitutional behavior” on the part of the Board Chairman, arguing that, by exceeding his authority, he is interfering with the Agency’s work.

According to the organizations, the Chairman of the Board of Directors cites verbal “instructions from the Presidency” and is directly issuing instructions to agency officials to overturn or fail to implement unanimous decisions of the Board of Directors.

The unions state that this practice constitutes a “serious institutional breach” and poses risks for the EAC, as, they note, it undermines collegiality and the legitimacy of decision-making and implementation.

They add that the direct issuance of verbal instructions to civil servants, in violation of Board decisions, creates a climate of “administrative anarchy and operational disarray,” exposing, as they argue, staff members to professional and legal risks.

The AHK’s labor unions further state that such practices foster a perception of circumventing established procedures and undermine the principles of good governance, equality before the law, and meritocracy.

They call on the Board of Directors to place the matter on the agenda as a matter of urgency at an extraordinary meeting, demand the immediate cessation of any extra-institutional and unilateral interference in the Agency’s operations, and ensure the implementation of its decisions.

They also call for the protection of staff from unlawful verbal orders that circumvent established procedures and for an official statement from the Board of Directors affirming that the EAC operates on the basis of legality, transparency, good governance, and the public interest.

The unions warn that, if there is no immediate compliance with the principles of legality and good governance, they will inform the relevant audit and institutional bodies of the Republic, including the Auditor General and the relevant Parliamentary Committees, and will take every lawful measure to protect the Organization, its employees, and the public interest.

Source: CNA