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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