Financial Times

Political harassment taboo at BOI
Political victimization may be a thing of the past at the Board of Investment (BOI) under a new Code of Conduct which was enforced last month at the premier investment promotion agency.

Lewd remarks, sexual advances and harassment or discrimination on political, racial, ethnic or religious grounds are taboo for staff under the Code.
The Code, the second one by a government institution after the Income Tax Department, calls for a positive work environment where every employee shall act with “compassion, kindness, respect, courtesy and consideration and fostering personal dignity” while refraining from interfering with another’s work performance.

BOI chairman Saliya Wickramasuriya said the code, approved by the Board of Directors after consultation with staff, defines acceptable behaviour and establishes a framework for professional behaviour and responsibilities. “We are committed to conducting our work in accordance with the (Sri Lankan) Constitution and all applicable laws and regulations,” he said in a message contained in the Code.

The Code was put together into a workable document by a respected, retired judge of the Supreme Court. The enforcement of such a code comes in the wake of rumblings of discontent a year ago soon after the UPFA won power and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Bandaranaike launched a clean-up operation, targeting mainly contract staff at the BOI.

One of the significant features of the new Code is that employees are protected from harassment or discrimination based on one’s political opinion. There is a key section on sexual misconduct, explaining that prohibited conduct includes but is not limited to sexual advances, “requests for sexual favours, the exchange of sexual favours for actual epithets, inappropriate references to male or female anatomy, written or verbal references to sexual conduct, gossip regarding one’s sexual activities or prowess, leering, whistling or touching, inquiries or comments about another’s sex life, coerced sexual activity, displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures or cartoons, and telling sexual jokes.”

The Code has strict disclosure provisions relating to BOI information provided by staff to the outside world – unless it is with the permission of the directors. Abuse of property and assets is also listed where the directors have the right to monitor and inspect any electronic communication including emails or files of staff.

On a “safe and healthy workplace”, employees suffering from any communicable disease or condition which may impede or interfere with relations with other employees or BOI clients should inform the head of department of his or her condition.In the section on “Conflicts of Interest”, employees can be called upon to provide information on his or her spouse’s employment or engagements that are or may appear to be in conflict with the employee’s duties.

“An employee shall not associate with certain persons in circumstances which may bring the employee or BOI into disrepute. Such persons include criminals, drug dealers and underworld characters,” the Code said under a section titled “Integrity.”

Back to Business