Pornpetch scotches job grade fears

National Legislative Assembly (NLA) president Pornpetch Witchitcholchai yesterday played down criticism of a proposal to equate military ranks and civilian grades, saying it was not designed to enable military officers to apply for jobs at public agencies.

Mr Pornpetch said the proposal was to facilitate the management of state officials, whether civilian or military.

His remark came after NLA whip Jate Siratharanon last week unveiled a draft law equating military ranks and civilian grades, which would allow military officers to seek jobs at public agencies.

To be eligible to apply for seats at some independent agencies, applicants are required to have served as a directorgeneral for at least five years. In the armed forces, there is no such position.

Under the proposed law, the military ranks of major-general, rear-admiral and air vice-marshal would be equivalent to the director-general position in the civilian service.

“For those who say the proposal is designed to favour those in the armed services, I don’t think so,” Mr Pornpetch said.

NLA member Somjet Boonthanom said yesterday there were two versions of the bill.

He said both were similar but the one proposed by the NLA members stipulated that not everyone holding these ranks would be equivalent to a director-general.

To equate those ranks with a directorgeneral, a major-general must also be a unit head.

According to Gen Somjet, this requirement would put a limit on the number of the armed forces officers qualified to apply for positions at independent agencies.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam admitted the government was working on the issue, but said it was for use in arranging welfare and other benefits.

Asked if it would open doors for military officers to step into public independent agencies, he said it would depend on selection committees.

“We want the criteria for use in everything — travel expenses, accommodation, applying for jobs. But whether they get the job is up to the selection committee,” he said.

He added that the government would consider the judiciary and prosecution next.