Byo mulls staff rationalisation

Brighton Gumbo Business Reporter
A STAFF rationalisation exercise is looming at the Bulawayo City Council following a government directive for the local authority to restructure its workforce. The local authority employs about 3,616 workers, way below its required staff complement of 5,070. It spends about $23 million per month on salaries and allowances alone.

Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo confirmed the move and said council was engaging experts on how to handle the matter.

He said the central government had directed the council to cut its workforce and rationalise salaries for senior staff.

“As a council we can’t go blind on this job evaluation, rationalisation and restructuring process, which is why we’re inviting experts to come on board and assist us with their best knowledge so that we don’t lose the principal workforce at the end of the day,” said Clr Moyo.

The local authority has already flighted a tender inviting experts who can provide the consultancy services on the issue.

Clr Moyo said those interested can obtain tender documents with specifications upon payment of a non-refundable fee of $10 from council offices at the City Hall.

The council has said tenders must be enclosed and sealed in envelopes and endorsed on the outside with a tender number and be posted at the post office or delivered by hand to the town clerk’s department before the closing date on August 18.

“No faxed, emailed or late tenders will be considered and the city council is not obliged to accept the lowest bid, or any bid. Tenders will not be considered unless they comply fully with the specifications,” said council.

Clr Moyo said a compulsory pre-tender conference would be held at the City Hall on Friday to enable bidders to seek clarifications on potentially difficult points and understand specifications.

“Failure to attend this conference will automatically disqualify a bidder from participating in the bidding process,” he said.

Bulawayo City Council houses six departments that include the town clerk’s department, chamber secretary, engineering services, financial services, health services and housing and community services.

Council provides a number of services that require manpower such as public health, licensing, fire prevention and ambulance services, plan approvals, community services, building inspections and other technical services.