Public sector to be slashed

Public servants failing to pass an efficiency test in three attempts will be forced to retire from service in a new move aimed at reducing the over-sized public sector, trade union and opposition leaders said yesterday.

The Public Services Commission in a Gazette notification also announced other measures which impose restrictions on recruitment to the public service which already has some one million workers. Under the new system employees who sit the efficiency test better known in the public service as the “Efficiency Bar” test will be given three opportunities to sit the exam to qualify and gain promotions.

Failure to qualify would mean their services would be terminated on the grounds of inefficiency.
Hitherto, public servants who fail qualify were allowed to continue until the retirement age of 55, but were not entitled to increments or promotions.

The same scheme will be applicable to new employees who fail to pass the examination. In another move to curtail the number the employees entering the public sector, casual employees will have no claim for permanency.

>> Full Story: Sunday Times