Gov’t rules out new jobs in public service

Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) Director, Gaone Machola, has revealed that government has frozen new posts and will instead redeploy employees from overstaffed ministries to those experiencing shortages. “We currently do not have the financial capacity to create new vacancies,” she said when appearing before the 62nd PAC hearing. “Where we identify ministries with excess staff, we will transfer those employees to ministries that are understaffed instead of creating new positions,” Machola told the committee.

Her remarks disappointed PAC members, who argued that government should be creating employment opportunities for thousands of unemployed graduates rather than maintaining a recruitment freeze. However, Machola explained that Botswana’s slowing economic growth has significantly constrained government’s ability to expand the public service. She said while the country previously absorbed almost every graduate from the University of Botswana (UB), the situation has changed dramatically.

“In the past, the UB produced about 3,000 graduates annually and government was still expanding by building schools, hospitals and other public institutions, making it easier to absorb graduates. “Today, more than 8,000 students graduate from tertiary institutions every year, while government has matured and the economy is no longer creating jobs at the same pace,” the DPSM boss stated. She told the committee that government introduced a graduate absorption policy to ensure that 80% of entry-level vacancies were reserved for newly qualified graduates, although implementation has so far reached about 70% because of limited opportunities.

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Machola attributed the shrinking employment opportunities to a decade-long moratorium on the creation of new posts, introduced after economic growth slowed and government sought to contain the public sector wage bill. Botswana’s wage bill continues to be under pressure as economic growth has weakened, making it difficult for government to employ more people while maintaining fiscal sustainability. “Safety first is safety always”– Charles M HayesAs most people begin travelling across the country to spend the President’s Holidays with family and friends, there is every reason to embrace the joy and togetherness that this period brings.While holiday periods bring joy, they are sadly often accompanied by a rise in road accidents, violent incidents and other avoidable tragedies. Too often, families that set out to celebrate together end…

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