EASTERN PROVINCE

BUGESERA—Bugesera district is fast losing its qualified labor force, reportedly due to poor terms and conditions of service, according to a recent government report.

"Capacity Building-Needs Assessment: 6-11 August 2007,” paints a grim picture of the effects of lack of job security and poor remuneration on the district staff.

Labor turnover is called ‘remarkable’ as staff look for more secure and better paying jobs elsewhere.

The report also reveals that, while decentralisation gave district councils powers to appoint and fire workers, the situation has created job insecurity.

"There should be job security for workers, which is not dependent on the district council decisions to reverse the trend,” the 18-page report, made public last week, reads.

According to Bagabo, presenting the report to a Joint Action Forum meeting, the councilors’ powers are so chaotic that workers are afraid of creating personal grudges with any of the council members to save their jobs.

Bureaucratic tendencies and inadequate staff, the report notes, prolong the time of payments for procurements made.

Poor monitoring and reporting on financial management, poor preparation of contracts for works, goods and services were also reported.

The report was commissioned by the government with the aim of unearthing issues requiring immediate government intervention.

Responding to the report, the district vice mayor in charge of economic development Silas Nyirindekwe promised that the district would strive to work on the recommendations of the draft document.

Ends