09 May 2020

Over 63 000 public service employees are expected to return to work during phase two of easing of extreme social distancing period.

Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) director, Ms Goitseone Mosalakatane, said this at a press conference today (May 9), explaining that public servants would re-enter the workplace in a phased approach. 

Ms Mosalakatane said during phase two, which started from May 8 and ending on May 15, about 25 per cent of the workforce would return to duty, including essential and critical service workers, who have been on duty during the extreme social distancing period.

She also noted that the phase two period would include safety, health, environment (SHE) officers, cleaning services and compliance offices. Therefore, service providers needed to prepare workplaces for increase in operations. 

On phase three, which starts on May 15 to May 21, Ms Mosalakatane said they were expecting 75 per cent of the public workforce to be on duty, adding that, “depending on the situation at the beginning of June, 100 per cent of the public service, which is over 127 000 will be fully on duty”.

During the lockdown phases, she said accounting officers, council secretaries, district commissioners and land board secretaries as well as head of departments and agencies should determine flexible work arrangements and ensure full compliance with state of emergency powers regulations and COVID-19 health protocols.

In addition, Ms Mosalakatane indicated that employee relations were critical during such a time, therefore government, together with public service unions, have formed a joint task team which would monitor throughout the state of emergency period and evaluate public service employees’ welfare.

Further, she indicated that they had, during the extreme social distancing period, learnt few lessons such as working from home and flexible working arrangements. 

She therefore encouraged continued social distancing throughout all phases. Ends