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Job freeze alarms public servants
Government's decision to stop recruitment and abolish posts in the government sector has drawn much opposition from public servants who claim it would result in a major collapse of the public service.

President of the Sri Lanka Administrative Services Association (SASA) S. Rannuge said what is being done through the circular issued by the Government is a blanket curtailment, which is not what is needed at the moment.

"A study has to be carried out in order to identify where the excess staff is and then stop recruitment to those specific fields. The management in the government sector is of a very low standard and needs definite improvement' he said.

President of the Public Service Trade Union Federation W.H. Piyadasa said the decision will be challenged in court.

"They have recruited 52 people in the recent past as Assistant Secretaries in government ministries. These people have not fulfilled even the basic qualifications to become Assistant Secretaries of ministries' he said.

Mr. Piyadasa said the government issued this circular as a result of a pledge given to the IMF. He produced an extract of a pledge signed by Mr. K. N. Choksy and Mr. A. S. Jayawardena which read "As part of our medium-term strategy, efforts will be made to reduce the wages and pension bill from 2003. Every department and agency will be required to rationalize their cadre significantly over the next three years, starting with the elimination of vacant positions and consolidation of functions"

The president of the clerical services association U.H. Liyanage said posts in grade 1 of the clerical services have been vacant for more than five years. He said this was not because these posts are not necessary, but because examinations have not been held to fill the vacancies .

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