In a statement the Public Service Commission (PSC) said it has started the process retrenching 3,384 youth officers. In his 2019 budget, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube pledged to lay them off by December. He said retrenching the youth officers will save $13.8 million.
We publish the full statement below:
1.0 In line with the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and as pronounced in the 2019 Budget Statement by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Government is implementing Civil Service Reforms targeted to change existing orientation, structure, functioning, temperament, performance, efficiency and ethical base for the Civil Service.
2.0 A number of measures are earmarked for implementation and these include right-sizing, reassignment and restructuring of the Civil Service in order to respond to the new ethos as espoused in Vision 2030, TSP and Devolution Agenda.
3.0 In the first phase of implementing Civil Service Reforms, Government has since initiated the process of retiring 3 384 Youth Officers in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, and redirecting their energies to activities that have the potential to greatly improve their livelihoods. The main criterion being used to retire the Youth Officers is based on whether the members possess the requisite qualifications to be engaged as public officers.
4.0 The affected Youth Officers will receive their full retirement benefits in line with Public Service Statutes and these will be communicated to the affected individuals.
5.0 In order to enable the affected members to remain productive outside the Public Service, information on empowerment opportunities will be made available to those interested, particularly in view of the prompt disbursement of their benefits upon retirement.
6.0 Some of the Government empowerment options available include provision of skills at vocational training centres, access to finance, business mentorship and incubation services. The options will be demand driven.
7.0 Those interested should register through the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation District Offices.