Exit option for 300 former DCA workers
Pauline Dikuelo | Wednesday August 5, 2015 18:00
The DCA was abolished and transformed into Civil Aviation Authority Botswana (CAAB) in 2009, which led to some of its employees being re-deployed to MTC, as they could not be absorbed into the structures of the CAAB.
The exit packages include separation pay, notice pay and leave pay, amongst other benefits. The exit date for those who want to leave the public service is September 30, 2015.
Chief Communications officer in the ministry, Titi Nyadza said that in addition to the package, the employees shall be allowed to encash their outstanding leave and would also be paid their pension or gratuity.
Nyadza added that all the employees who desire to exit should follow the correct process where the supervisor approves the exit form, stating reasons for doing so, and then submits it to the Early Exit Assessment board for assessment. “We still await submission of application forms to assess the number of those desiring to exit because it is voluntary. Those opting to stay shall not be forced to leave, but shall continue with the service,” she said.
Sources within the ministry said most of the former employees have shown interest in the deal, as they want to leave for greener pastures.
“Most of them want to go as they are not happy with the ministry’s appointments. Some of them have worked for more than five years without being promoted and when they joined the ministry, all the benefits like the house (housing) allowance that they were entitled to at DCA were cancelled,” said a source.
The former employees were re-deployed to various departments within the ministry which include the Department of Roads Transport and Safety (DRTS), Department of Postal Services, Central Transport Organisation (CTO) and the Department of Information Services, to mention a few.
The voluntary exit packages offer comes after the Ministry concluded consultative meetings with the concerned party, led by representatives from the ministry, in conjunction with Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) and public sector unions.
Unions represented in the three day meetings, which were held in Gaborone, Francistown and Maun last month were the Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU), Botswana Government Workers Union (BOGOWU) and Botswana Manual Workers Union.