01 Mar 2015

The Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) is reviewing the Public Service Act No. 30 of 2008, the director of DPSM, Ms Ruth Maphorisa has said.

Briefing members of the press about her vision about DPSM and the latest initiatives recently, Ms Maphorisa said through its implementation and consultations over the years, it had emerged that a comprehensive review of the Public Service Act, which was enacted in May 2010, was necessary.

The bill, she said, had been circulated within ministries for comments and that the trade unions were also given the opportunity to have an input in terms of the review of the Public Service Act.“A roll out plan was developed which included consultations with key stakeholders, including public service trade unions,” she added. 

The other reason why DPSM had embarked on the review of the Public Service Act, Ms Maphorisa said, was to address inconsistencies within the Act, such as exclusion of the Directorate of Intelligence Services (DISS) and punishments for misconducts and to provide transitional savings for issues affecting conversion of industrial employees to pensionable terms and the contract employment of senior management.

Another reason, she said, was to address gaps in the act created by the repeal of other Employing Authorities Acts, like the Teaching Service Act, provide for amendments of other laws affected by the amendment of Public Service Act 2008 to create consistencies.

In June 7, 2012, Ms Maphorisa said cabinet gave authority for the amendment of the Public Service Act, in order to align the act to the provisions of the constitution, harmonise the act with other labour laws such as the Employment Act, Trade Disputes Act and Trade Unions and Employers Organisations Act.

The Draft Public Service Bill, Public Service Management director said was now at an advanced stage, adding that early February 2015 DPSM submitted ministries’ final comments to the Attorney General with a view to finalising the exercise, after which the bill would be submitted to cabinet for approval.
 ENDS