PURPOSE

The purpose of these guidelines was created to assist the department in managing the establishment and progress of the Departmental Joint Council (MBJ) meeting in an organized manner to be in line with the regulations in force.

BACKGROUND

The consultation machinery in the Public Service at the departmental level has been introduced since the existence of the Interim Joint Council in 1946 and the consultation machinery of the Departmental Whitley Council in 1950 (now known as the Departmental Joint Council). In line with the development and changes of the Public Service since independence, MBJ which is one of the platforms in the employer-employee relationship mechanism of the Public Service has also undergone changes.

The main purpose of MBJ was created as a two-way (2) channel, where Employees are given space to communicate with Officers in voicing opinions, views and contributing thoughtful ideas for the benefit and good of the organization concerned.

ESTABLISHMENT

MBJ needs to be created for every department where the Head of Department has the authority to make decisions on administrative affairs, human resource management and financial affairs. The Head of Department must ensure that MBJ is established in his department. The Head of Department at the Parent Agency needs to ensure that MBJ is established at the Parent Agency and the departments under its supervision are subject to the establishment conditions that have been set.

However, MBJ does not need to be established for implementing departments that do not directly handle administrative affairs, human resource management and financial affairs. Representatives from the department can participate in meetings as members at MBJ headquarters/Ministry/State Secretary's Office.

For the purpose of establishing MBJ, one (1) draft constitution that has been agreed upon by the Officers and Employees needs to be drafted first as a guideline or by-law and must be submitted to the Public Service Department (JPA) for approval.