MPs move to streamline recruitment of public servants

Members of Parliament and the Public Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday both requested the Ministry of Public Service and Labour to avoid the use of the phrase “or any other related field” phrase in their job advertisements as it is prone to abuse during the recruitment process. They argued that employers may capitalise on the phrase to enlist incompetent candidates while casting off the best ones. The concern arose as the Executive Secretary of the commission, Angelina Muganza, and her team appeared before the Standing Committee on Social Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies, for the second time this week, over the commission’s 2010-2011 report to Parliament. The matter arose when MP Damien Nyabyenda asked PSC officials to clarify progress made regarding the report’s findings that most district workers are not fully qualified.Nyabyenda drew attention to the fact that over 90 percent of employees in Rubavu district were found to be lacking proper qualifications. Muganza said the concern was not limited to Rubavu, insisting that other districts are equally affected while concurring that the “any other related field” phrase was vague and is based on to employ incompetent employees. MP Liberata Kayitesi argued: “I think a firm decision should be taken on this matter because I believe it is problematic. I see a case of injustice, either way. Imagine a person who passes an interview but later, someone comes up saying there is a better qualified person. Let the confusion be eliminated for good.” Other MPs backed both legislators in arguing that job opportunities should only prioritise only fully qualified candidates. According to Muganza, the contradiction only cropped up in the past when most job applicants had fewer qualifications unlike today. The chairperson of the committee, Esperance Mwiza, said the problem has carried on for the past three years with no solution in sight. “It is a big problem especially when about 90 percent of employees (in a district) lack the right qualifications. This is a big number and it is probably why output is poor.”Muganza said the PSC had recommended that the Ministry of Public Service and Labour extracts the “or any other related field” phrase in its job adverts. The report highlighted instances of unfairness in public service recruitment when it was initially presented to a joint parliamentary session in March this year. It also observed that employees lack the required qualifications in majority of the districts. PSC further pointed out to possible favouritism during the recruitment process as being among the root causes. Before Parliament was adjourned for a two-month recess in July, the legislators tasked the PSC to provide details on how complaints from public servants are resolved instead of reporting that cases had been sufficiently probed and solved.

National

MPs move to streamline recruitment of public servants