PSC in radical workforce downsize

by | Jul 20, 2021 | Business | 0 comments

Brian Rungano Temba

Government has announced drastic measures meant to reduce the danger of Covid-19 spread among its employees.

This has been made possible through the Public Service Commission`s response to the call by President Mnangagwa for employers to ensure that they downsize their staff complement.

Permanent Secretary for Information Publicity and Broadcasting services, Mr Nick Mangwana said only 10 percent of workers in Government offices will be working on-site.

“Only 10% of civil servants are going to work as the PSC takes measures to decongest workspaces as part of the fight against Covid-19. This may have serious effect on the quality of service the public will receive, please bear with us,” said Mr Mangwana.

A circular sent to all Ministry permanent secretaries Government gave extensive detail on how the downsizing will work.

Chief among the measures was the further reduction of staff coming to work from 40 percent to 10 percent for all Ministry Departments and Agencies with exception of Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Line Ministries are going to be rotating staff. They have been instructed to designed shifts to make sure that no employee spends more than three weeks at home.

PSC buses will be fumigated daily after each trip and only members with proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be allowed to board the bus.

Sitting arrangements in the PSC bus must observe social distancing and no more than 35 passengers are allowed to board the bus per trip.

“Heads of Ministries are to continue ensuring that staff working from home are capacitated with ICT equipment and adequate Internet facilities.

Those coming to work must also get sufficient bandwidth to facilitate them holding virtual meetings,” the circular read.

Daily staff attendance records will be submitted to PSC before 1pm with justification for any variation.
Heads of Ministries were also directed to ensure all civil servants under their jurisdiction are vaccinated.