Public sector reforms and employee relations: Is

Transcript:Public sector reforms and employee relations: Is:
Public sector reforms and employee relations: Is there a link to Malawi's economic underperformance? Prof. Lewis B Dzimbiri Professor of Public Administration University of Malawi Chancellor College ZOMBA Broad presentation outline Aims and rationale of public sector reforms in Africa and Malawi Window-shopping of reforms implemented in Malawi Promise and Performance – critical reflection Employee relations as another explanation Employee relations in Malawi- past and present Other approaches to improve performance Public Sector Reforms in Africa At independence- challenges on economies- Demand for socio socio-economic development - health, education, social infrastructure etc vs acute shortage of human, material and financial resources extensive needs, low capacities, severe obstacles (Schaffer 1969). Generations of reforms FIRST GENERATION- AFTER INDEPENDENCE SECOND GENERATION- A DECADE OR SO LATER THIRD GENERATION- 1990s AND BEYOND MALAWI: Realities at independence Response: State took over national development agenda Typology of reforms in Malawi Political reforms Economic reforms Legal reforms Reforms in planning Decentralisation Judiciary reforms Parliamentary reforms Police reforms Prison reforms Doing business reforms Procurement reforms Legal reforms A new 1994 Republican Constitution was promulgated in 1994 providing for an independent Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. Provides for good governance and respect of rule of law institutions- Malawi Human Rights Commission, the Ombudsman, the Law Commission and the Anti-Corruption Bureau as constitutional bodies; and other institutions geared at entrenching governance LEGAL REFORMS RELATED TO PUBLIC SERVICE MANAGEMENT The Public Service Act was promulgated in 1994 which among other key issues provides for the core functions of the Public Service; the responsibilities and duties of the offices of the Secretary to the President and Cabinet and the Secretary for Human Resource Management and Development ; others The need for predictability, accountability and transparent of the operations of the public service. Other legal reforms to enhance transparency and accountability in the Public Service -Public Finance Management Act (2003), the Public Procurement Act (2003) and the Public Audit Act (2003 Labour relations Act Employment Act. New regulations and procedures on the management of the public service (MPSR) Reforms in planning The development and adoption of the Malawi Vision 2020 had ushered in the imperative to reform the Public Service MPRS (1996-2004) MGDS(2007-2011, 2011-2015). ERP Desire for an efficient, effective and transparent Public Service was seen as the key factor to the successful realization of democratic, highly developed, socially, economically and politically just Malawi. Democratic governance & rule of law Reforms in the sectors