Cooling-off period proposed for government officials

The proposed cooling off period could see senior public servants forced to disclose job offers – or the government could terminate contracts with their prospective employers, says a report in The Mercury. The measures are aimed at preventing officials using privileged information to secure public contracts when they leave government to join the private sector. Commission’s chairman Stan Sangwni said yesterday: ‘The increase in the interface between the public and private sector interests has given rise to public debate worldwide on the conflict of interest.’ In a report released yesterday, the Commission – a watchdog body that monitors public service – proposed stringent policies that focus mainly on private companies. Full report in The Mercury (subscription needed)