The Public Service Ministry requires more than Shs79 billion to pay off over thousands of government employees affected by the planned merging of several public agencies.
The ministry has, however, indicated that this is one of the unfunded priorities it has listed for action this financial year.
According to the House Committee on Public Service and Local Government, the government needs the funds to compensate 2,170 workers whose jobs will be abolished as a result of the rationalization of public agencies.
Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the committee chairperson said they are going to phase out 50 positions of directors and 52 positions of commissioners and this is resulting from a cabinet directive.
Mapenduzi criticised the ministry of public service for putting this under unfunded priorities yet paying off persons whose jobs are due for abolition needs urgent attention.
On February 22, 2021, Cabinet resolved to merge, mainstream and rationalize government agencies including, Commissions, Authorities and Public Enterprises so as to enable what it said is efficient and effective service delivery.
Cabinet approved an implementation roadmap for the process in a phased manner to be spread over a period of two financial years from 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.
The Ministry of Public Service had recommended to Cabinet that 80 of the 157 public agencies be retained as semi-autonomous bodies; 33 agencies to have their mandate and functions reverted to line ministries, and 35 be consolidated or merged into 19 entities.
