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HARARE – The Government said on Sunday it has commenced the retrenchment of nearly 3 400 youth officers who will be trained with other life skills to prepare them for life outside the civil service.
The retirement is part of government plans to streamline the civil service and cut its gigantic salary expenditure.
Government is currently committing over 90 percent of its budget towards payment of salaries which has left little room to invest in programmes to improve social amenities and other critical infrastructure.
And to cut the salary bill, Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube announced in the 2019 national budget last month that government would among other initiatives retrench 3 384 youth officers by end of this month.
Over $20 million has been mobilised for immediate payment of retrenchment packages.
Secretary for the Public Service Commission, Jonathan Wutawunashe said those without requisite qualifications will be among the first to be retired.
“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 disbursements of their benefits upon retirement,” he said.
He said government would empower the officers through training in various skills at vocational training schools, access to finance, business mentorship and incubation services.
Besides, the youth officers’ government has also announced plans to retire all civil servants above the age of 65, cut salaries of top officials including the executive and reduce benefits for senior officials among a cocktail of other measures to cut its expenditure. – New Ziana
Bongani Ndlovu