The Ministry of Agriculture is taking steps to regularize the roles of long-standing employees within the organization. This update was shared by Isikeli Bosevakaturaga, the Head of Human Resources, during a presentation to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources as part of discussions surrounding the Ministry’s 2019-2022 Annual Report.
During the meeting, committee member Taito Rokomatu raised concerns about the significant number of employees who have been with the Ministry for over a decade but still have not attained permanent status. Bosevakaturaga emphasized the importance of adhering to proper recruitment procedures despite the valuable experience many of these individuals possess. He stated, “We are currently ensuring that we follow the due diligence process in terms of recruitment and selection.”
Moreover, the Ministry has recently obtained approval to regularize the positions of 76 field assistants within its research division. This move is part of broader efforts to address staffing shortages highlighted in previous reports, where the Ministry acknowledged having over 200 unfilled positions due to various challenges, including employee turnover and salary disparities.
To retain skilled professionals, the Ministry is reviewing job descriptions and exploring strategies to fill vacant roles appropriately. In line with these efforts, it has also been mentioned that initiatives are being undertaken across other sectors to bolster human resources and service delivery, showcasing a commitment to enhancing the staffing capacity within public service entities.
This proactive approach by the Ministry of Agriculture reflects a larger trend in government sectors to address staffing challenges while ensuring qualified personnel are retained and their expertise recognized. With a continued focus on regularization and recruitment strategies, there is hope for improved stability and efficiency in delivering agricultural services to the community.
In summary, these efforts not only aim to provide job security for long-term employees but also enhance the overall capacity of the Ministry to effectively meet current agricultural challenges.
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