Civil service ministry focused on reforms in 2023
MINISTER of Civil Service Prum Sokha is pushing for public administration reforms to continue to build the capacity of human resources and institutions to respond to developments in the digital age.
Sokha was addressing an annual meeting to review the ministry’s past achievements and set its work direction for 2023.
The ministry said it has improved the management of the public service sector gradually by closing the loopholes in laws, procedures and regulations, and has studied the amendment of the Common Statute of Civil Servants to make necessary adjustments to the law.
It has prepared a draft decree on the entrance examination for civil servants and submitted it to the Council of Ministers for review, and has also completed a study of the Civil Servants’ pension scheme and will seek approval from the government to make improvements.
The ministry said it has worked to increase the capacity of its Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) for civil servants and has focused on strengthening public service inspections. It has also expanded international relations and contacts in the public service sector.
“We have re-structured and redefined the functions of units and institutions at the national and sub-national levels to facilitate consistency, activity and efficiency. The Public Administration Reform Committee and its structure as a supportive mechanism have been re-organised according to the government’s reform policy,” it said.
Sokha claimed that in addition to these achievements, the use of modern digital technology through new hardware for the development of the HRMIS has improved the efficiency of civil service data management, payroll and the reorganisation of the card management system, which has streamlined retirement of civil servants, management of contract officials, contract teachers and other temporary staff.
“We have also developed this system for other purposes, including the preparation of a new type of civil servant ID cards in the form of a smart card that can be used as a civil servant ID card and an ATM card for payroll. We then launched other applications that could be used by government officials as a means of verifying personal information through a mobile app,” he said.
Sokha also urged all relevant officials not to forget the lessons of the past and to ready themselves for the challenges ahead. He called for the creation of a strategy to reform public administration and to continue to build and develop the capacity of human resources and institutions to respond to timely developments in the digital age.
“We’re focused on the implementation of action plans for public reform and management of public service on the main priority issues. We continue to pay close attention to improving the lives and wellbeing of civil servants to contribute to the success of the implementation of the government’s rectangular strategy,” he stated.