The Phnom Penh Post
Thursday, 05 February 2009
Thet Sambath
Exceptions undermining earlier ministerial directive
PRIME Minister Hun Sen has reissued orders for civil servants who have reached the official retirement age to step aside, according to Council of Ministers officials, amid a flood of special requests to extend individual tenures beyond the age limits laid down in law.
In a directive issued January 12, Hun Sen called for the retirement of all male officials aged 60 and above and all female officials aged over 55. But with a string of prime ministerial exceptions generating jealousy in the halls of government, officials say over-age employees must step down.
“All civil servants must retire when they reach the retirement age. They are not allowed to continue their work,” said Hong Chham Chhan, deputy secretary general of the Council of Ministers’ Council for Administrative Reform.
“Some have requested to Prime Minister Hun Sen to allow them to continue their work … but those who didn’t get permission are jealous of those who are allowed to continue working.”
Special allowances
He said that “more and more” officials had been lodging special requests to the premier, and that officials in the Council of Ministers had became jealous of colleagues who had been granted extensions.
“Because of this problem, Hun Sen issued an order to all of them to retire when their time comes, except those requested by the government to resume their duties,” Hong Chham Chhan said, adding that 7,000 to 8,000 civil servants required replacement every year due to retirement, death and resignation.
“Some want to continue because they are thinking of their own interests and reputation. Some are used to being officials, and they don’t want to become simple civilians,” he said.
Bun Uy, a secretary of state in the Council of Ministers, said Wednesday that the prime minister’s new order would not just apply for 2009, but would be applied consistently in future.
“Hun Sen has ordered all [civil servants] to retire in order for things to be equal among them,” he said. But Yim Sovann, a Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker, said many talented people had no chance to work in government because appointments were tainted by nepotism and corruption.
“Those who do not resign think only of their personal interest and nepotism. Their acts do not help the country develop and give the young no chance to serve the nation,” he said.
“I see many old-age officials still working. They keep those who are not against them and those who are against them are put into retirement.”
Thursday, 05 February 2009
Thet Sambath
Exceptions undermining earlier ministerial directive
PRIME Minister Hun Sen has reissued orders for civil servants who have reached the official retirement age to step aside, according to Council of Ministers officials, amid a flood of special requests to extend individual tenures beyond the age limits laid down in law.
In a directive issued January 12, Hun Sen called for the retirement of all male officials aged 60 and above and all female officials aged over 55. But with a string of prime ministerial exceptions generating jealousy in the halls of government, officials say over-age employees must step down.
“All civil servants must retire when they reach the retirement age. They are not allowed to continue their work,” said Hong Chham Chhan, deputy secretary general of the Council of Ministers’ Council for Administrative Reform.
“Some have requested to Prime Minister Hun Sen to allow them to continue their work … but those who didn’t get permission are jealous of those who are allowed to continue working.”
Special allowances
He said that “more and more” officials had been lodging special requests to the premier, and that officials in the Council of Ministers had became jealous of colleagues who had been granted extensions.
“Because of this problem, Hun Sen issued an order to all of them to retire when their time comes, except those requested by the government to resume their duties,” Hong Chham Chhan said, adding that 7,000 to 8,000 civil servants required replacement every year due to retirement, death and resignation.
“Some want to continue because they are thinking of their own interests and reputation. Some are used to being officials, and they don’t want to become simple civilians,” he said.
Bun Uy, a secretary of state in the Council of Ministers, said Wednesday that the prime minister’s new order would not just apply for 2009, but would be applied consistently in future.
“Hun Sen has ordered all [civil servants] to retire in order for things to be equal among them,” he said. But Yim Sovann, a Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker, said many talented people had no chance to work in government because appointments were tainted by nepotism and corruption.
“Those who do not resign think only of their personal interest and nepotism. Their acts do not help the country develop and give the young no chance to serve the nation,” he said.
“I see many old-age officials still working. They keep those who are not against them and those who are against them are put into retirement.”
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