Reduce government workforce?
Geingob, Aupindi divided on public service size
Swapo leaders are divided on whether the bloated public service should be reduced or left intact.
While President Hage Geingob continues his push for a reduced government workforce, Swapo central committee member and party parliamentarian Tobie Aupindi said he is “not from the school of thought which advocates for the reduction” of government employees.
The bloated public service has been a thorn in Geingob’s side, with the president last week saying it can even be cut in half.
This, he said, would enable government to address requests for salary increments yearly, as well as reduce the state wage bill.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to State House by Public Service Commission (PSC) commissioners last week, Geingob said the oversized public workforce was a result of government trying to be inclusive of all Namibians, especially those who were left out during the apartheid era.
“On top of what you are getting, there are others who are getting zero. The size of the public service must be looked at, maybe to say cut it in half so that those who remain can be given proper salaries,” he said.
Government currently has 107 000 employees, who will gobble up N$32 billion in wages during the current financial year. With civil servants now demanding an 8% salary hike across the board, in addition to other new demands, the wage bill could eat up a bigger chunk of the N$84.6 billion 2023-2024 national budget tabled recently by finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi.
But according to Aupindi - who made his budget contribution in the National Assembly this week - although Namibia’s operational expenditure is high, it should not be the reason for government to limit the public workforce. Instead, state spending should reflect growth in the population, he said.
“I am not from the school of thought which advocates for the reduction of the workforce in the public service, because population growth has gone up, urbanisation is increasing, youth population growth has gone up,” he said.
“The demand for better roads, hospitals and schools has gone up, therefore requiring more people to service such activities.”
Premature
Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, PSC commissioner Salmaan Jacobs said it would be premature for the commission to have a clear stance on civil servants' new salary demands.
“The bargaining bodies are the Office of the Prime Minister and unions, co-chaired by the secretary of Cabinet and secretary-generals of recognised unions.
“Once they have reached consensus on the way forward, they approach the commission for its advice or recommendation,” he said.
“Therefore, it will be premature for the PSC to comment at this stage with regard to salary increases,” he said.
Apart from an 8% salary hike across the board, government employees also want an increase in housing allowance for those below management by 20%, an increase in housing allowance for management by 8%, an increase in kilometre tariff to N$7 per kilometre and an increase in transport allowance for below management by 20% for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
A joint submission was made by civil servants through the Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) and Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu).
The bloated public service has been a thorn in Geingob’s side, with the president last week saying it can even be cut in half.
This, he said, would enable government to address requests for salary increments yearly, as well as reduce the state wage bill.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to State House by Public Service Commission (PSC) commissioners last week, Geingob said the oversized public workforce was a result of government trying to be inclusive of all Namibians, especially those who were left out during the apartheid era.
“On top of what you are getting, there are others who are getting zero. The size of the public service must be looked at, maybe to say cut it in half so that those who remain can be given proper salaries,” he said.
Government currently has 107 000 employees, who will gobble up N$32 billion in wages during the current financial year. With civil servants now demanding an 8% salary hike across the board, in addition to other new demands, the wage bill could eat up a bigger chunk of the N$84.6 billion 2023-2024 national budget tabled recently by finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi.
But according to Aupindi - who made his budget contribution in the National Assembly this week - although Namibia’s operational expenditure is high, it should not be the reason for government to limit the public workforce. Instead, state spending should reflect growth in the population, he said.
“I am not from the school of thought which advocates for the reduction of the workforce in the public service, because population growth has gone up, urbanisation is increasing, youth population growth has gone up,” he said.
“The demand for better roads, hospitals and schools has gone up, therefore requiring more people to service such activities.”
Premature
Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, PSC commissioner Salmaan Jacobs said it would be premature for the commission to have a clear stance on civil servants' new salary demands.
“The bargaining bodies are the Office of the Prime Minister and unions, co-chaired by the secretary of Cabinet and secretary-generals of recognised unions.
“Once they have reached consensus on the way forward, they approach the commission for its advice or recommendation,” he said.
“Therefore, it will be premature for the PSC to comment at this stage with regard to salary increases,” he said.
Apart from an 8% salary hike across the board, government employees also want an increase in housing allowance for those below management by 20%, an increase in housing allowance for management by 8%, an increase in kilometre tariff to N$7 per kilometre and an increase in transport allowance for below management by 20% for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
A joint submission was made by civil servants through the Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) and Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu).
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article