21 Mar 2017

There are 163 vacant posts in the Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, says infrastructure and housing development minister, Mr Nonofo Molefhi.

Mr Molefhi said 116 out of 163 vacancies were inherited from the former Ministry of Education and Skills Development when the ministries were re-organised in October 2016.

Answering a question in Parliament on behalf of Minister Tshenolo Mabeo, Minister Molefhi said the vacancies could only be transferred to this ministry in the next financial year (2017/18).

He noted that pending the transfer of the vacancies by the Directorate of Public Service Management, the Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development remains unable to fill the vacancies.

He said the ministry has engaged 95 temporary employees across all departments to address the manpower needs and acquire experience.

Mr Molefhi said for the remaining 47 out of 163 vacancies, 13 have been advertised and three have been offered for occupation, adding that this leaves a total number of 31 vacancies which the ministry was currently unable to advertise due to budget constraints.

However, he added that the advertisements would resume in April 2017.

He said it takes too long to fill some vacancies as some candidates turn down offers of appointment to posts tenable outside their preferred locations.

Specially Elected Member of Parliament, Mr Mephato Reatile had asked the minister to state the total number of vacant posts in the Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development.

Mr Reatile also requested the minister to provide the breakdown by departments and districts, the total number of temporary employees engaged to acquire experience and the challenges that cause delay in filling in the vacant posts. ENDS