The government has restricted new Public Service recruitment to critical positions in the health and education sectors, as budget constraints and weaker revenue collections force tighter controls on public expenditure.
Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare said recruitment for new non-critical positions has been frozen as the government seeks to manage fiscal pressures amid weaker projected economic growth.
The measure means ministries and government offices will generally not be permitted to recruit for newly created or other non-critical positions, while priority recruitment will continue in health and education.
Ngurare said the decision was largely driven by reduced revenue collections and continued pressure on public finances, requiring the government to prioritise available resources.
The restrictions will, however, not apply to positions that had already received approval before the recruitment freeze was introduced.
Government institutions will also be allowed to replace employees where vacancies arise through resignations, promotions, retirements and other staff movements.
“It should be noted, however, that ministries and offices may proceed to fill positions that had already received prior approval before the issuance of this circular, as well as those that become vacant due to resignations, promotions, retirements or other staff movements,” Ngurare said.
The Prime Minister said the restrictions are intended to contain expenditure and allow the government to direct limited resources towards priority areas as fiscal conditions tighten.
Ngurare also cautioned that the government could not be expected to absorb all new jobseekers, calling on the private sector and state-owned enterprises to play a greater role in employment creation.
“Jobs are not to be created by Government alone, but collectively by the State-Owned Enterprises and the private sector as well. We should therefore not look to Government in isolation,” he said.
“Job creation is a shared responsibility that requires the active participation of all sectors.”
