MARTIN MAWAYA
Former Gweru Urban legislator Brian Dube has criticized the government’s decision to raise the retirement age for public servants, arguing that it will lead to inefficiencies, errors, and delays in state operations.
Under Statutory Instrument 198 of 2024, President Emmerson Mnangagwa extended the retirement age for civil servants from 65 to 70.
This policy change also raises the retirement age for regular soldiers from 50 to 55, with options to extend service to 60 and even 65, while commissioned officers can now serve until 70.
The government defends its decision, claiming that it aims to retain experienced professionals in the workforce.
However, Dube strongly dismissed the new policy, calling it unreasonable and detrimental to the representation of young people’s needs in public service.
He emphasized that Zimbabwe does not face a skills gap, as there are many educated young people capable of propelling the nation forward.
The human rights lawyer argues that requiring individuals over 65 to report for work at 7:30 AM is “cruelty”, adding that the government’s inefficiency is largely due to an aging workforce.
“The government must retire the aged employees. They should allow them to rest, enjoy their pensions and give young people opportunities to bring energy, new ideas, fresh perspectives, innovation and speed in the workplace,” he said.
He also noted that the policy change may impact the career advancement prospects of younger employees, forcing them to wait longer for promotions and leadership opportunities.
This, Dube said “could lead to a brain drain, as talented skilled youth seek opportunities abroad” as well as hinder the implementation of youth-friendly policies.
According to Dube, most government workers were recruited between 1980-1985 when they were 18 to 25 years old and were expected to retire en masse between 2023 to 2025, creating job opportunities for the youth.
“The 2023-2025 were supposed to be the biggest recruiting years for the government. Now that those who were meant to retire are staying on, young people continue to suffer,” remarked Dube in an interview with The Midweek Watch.
He expressed concerns about their diminished eyesight and driving abilities of aged public servants which could lead to delays and backlogs in the workplace.
The former MP said government should have maintained the retirement age at 60-65 years, suggesting this would create a blend of youth and experience, with those in their 50s still capable of sharing their expertise with the younger generation.
Furthermore, he pointed out that Zimbabwe has lagged in the digitalization of government systems due to a generational gap.
“Digitalization requires a digital generation, and that generation is the youth. To keep pace with technology and improve service delivery, we need young, computer-literate, and innovative individuals in the workplace,” he said.
Dube has called on the government to focus on creating more jobs and developing the country’s infrastructure.
