Question NW827 to the Minister of Public Service and Administration
20 May 2021 - NW827
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
Whether, in light of the rising budget deficit of the Republic which has been made worse by the economic impact of COVID-19, necessitating a need for the rationalisation of Government expenditure through, among other considerations, a rationalisation of the public service headcount, his department has introduced a rationalisation process of the staff complement in the public service; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) by what date is the rationalisation envisaged to be completed?
Reply:
The Department of Public Service and Administration has not introduced rationalisation of the Public Service headcount. Headcount increases have not been the main driver of the wage bill. Rationalisation of the Public Service headcount may adversely affect service delivery to citizens in critical sectors such health, education and policing amongst others. The 2021 Budget Review, has indicated that the government wage bill must be managed within the Fiscal Framework which assumes that compensation budget ceilings will be maintained.
Not applicable in terms of the response in (a).
End