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Early retirements without replacements imperil public services
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By Senuka Jayakody
A number of economic sectors are grappling with the impact of the early retirement policy under which some 27,000 public sector employees were sent on retirement as they reached 60 by the end of last year.
Some departments have been able to overcome the situation, while others have urged the Government to provide relief.
Among the affected sectors is the Railway Department. Railways General Manager W. A. S. Gunasinghe told the Sunday Times he expected that a cabinet decision would be taken allowing the hiring of retirees on a contract basis. “There can be GMs and SMs, but without a locomotive engineer (engine driver) a train would not run.’’
The department expects to hire 3,000 and is now conducting interviews.
“It has been five months since I became the general manager and I have been telling the authorities of the shortage. There are around 1.5 to 1.6 million state employees, but the employment in public service is imbalanced,’’ he said.
Ten train trips have been cancelled daily from the beginning of this week, but the situation eased by Thursday.
Government Medical Officers Association spokesman Chamil Wijesinghe said only medical officers above the age of 63 years had retired, due to a pending court case.
A cabinet paper last month was accepted demanding the resignation of medical officers above the age of 60 years. However, officials have filed legal action against it.
The court hearing will be next week. If they lose the case, officials above the age of 60 years with birthdays falling within the first six months would retire, while officials whose birthdays fall within the last six months would retire on June 30, 2023. The GMOA is accepting the age of 63 years for retirement since “officials are a requirement to counter the loss of professionals in the country due to brain drain and to take measures against a possible increase in Covid-19”.
The shortage of teachers due to retirements was addressed by Education Minister Susil Premajayantha at a ceremony at the Ministry of Education.
He said that while usually only around 4,000 teachers retired annually, 10,000 to 12,000 teachers had retired this year. There is a shortage of around 4,500 principals. “The ministry has the most obstacles, since around 4.3 million students are currently receiving education,’’ he said.
He said vacancies would be filled within three months, in accordance with a Cabinet decision.
Ceylon Bank Employees Union President Channa Disanayake, said many experienced bankers, including senior managers of the People’s Bank and the Bank of Ceylon had retired.
Train trips have been cancelled daily owing to the early retirement policy causing much inconvenience to the public. Pic by Priyanka Samaraweera
He also criticised the policy shift, where the retirement age was changed from 55 to 65 and then to 60, adding, “the rapid changes in Government policy have made it difficult to adapt’’.
The Ceylon Electricity Board’s Technological Engineers and Superintendent Union leader A.G.U. Nishantha said he supported the retirement age policy and assured services would be maintained. “Every head of every department in the CEB, except for cleaning services, is an engineer.’’
National Fisheries Solidarity Movement Convener Herman Kumara said retirements would pose problems. “Many of the fishermen know the officials related to fishing in the area and their retirement would disrupt the communication between the fisherman and the ministry.’’The enthusiasm of young officials to study and serve the industry would be dampened due to the situation in the country, he reckons. “The sudden retirement of officials had caused young officials to accept duties, while they lack the necessary understanding and experience.’’
All Island Combined Wildlife Officers Union leader Prabash Karunathilake said a significant shortage would not arise though officials who were required to retire last year and those required to this year retired together.
Government Grama Niladharis Association President Saman Perera criticised the lack of replacements.
“The Government has retired senior officials without making preparations. There are no young officials to fill the vacancies of Grama Niladharis. The last interviews were held some four or five years ago.’’
Anuradha Tennakoon, president of the National Agrarian Unity, said he supported the retirement of officials at 60, but suggested the use of “senior citizens” as advisers.
Public Administration Ministry secretary Neel Bandara Hapuhinne said nearly 27,000 public servants had retired, but there was no issue except for the essential services of health and railways. “There is no acute shortage in public service.’’
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