Government should fill essential posts first – Solidarity

14 June 2016  

Determine which posts are the essential posts and fill them first. According to trade union Solidarity this is what is needed to deal with the skills shortages municipalities are experiencing. This comes in the wake of the findings of Statistics South Africa (Stats SA’s) latest non-financial census of municipalities issued this week. According to this census there are currently more than 41 000 vacant posts at municipalities countrywide. 

Dr Eugene Brink, political analyst at trade union Solidarity, is of the opinion that in view of these figures government should abolish non-essential jobs and services in order to give priority to fill key positions.

“Government should do a thorough survey of its current skilled corps to determine which skills are superfluous, and where skills shortages are being experienced. As part of the process, preference should be given to the filling of technical and financial jobs in particular to improve service delivery and to curb the increasing problem of corruption and misappropriation of funds,” Brink said.

Brink added that Solidarity is not at all in favour of state expansion. “In view of the challenging economic conditions South Africa is currently facing, it is unfair of government to expect punch drunk taxpayers to fund superfluous government jobs. For this reason, the filling of essential municipal positions must be prioritised as consultants are being paid to perform such work at great expense,” Brink said.

Issued by Eugene Brink, Political Analyst, Solidarity, 14 June 2016