Number of quitting state workers in HCMC highest in 7 years

The number of officials who quit in the first half was 2.4 times that in the entire 2021, while the number of government workers who quit was 2.9 times that in 2021, according to a document sent by the HCMC People’s Committee to the Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday.

A total 676 officials and over 5,500 government workers quit during the period, the committee said.

Low pay and benefits, low chance of promotion and high workload were cited as reasons why so many officials and government workers quit, according to HCMC authorities.

Huynh Thanh Nhan, director of the HCMC Department of Home Affairs, said the public sector is now finding it difficult to attract and retain talents. The pay for workers in the public sector is too low, while the pay in the private sector is much more attractive, causing those with skills and talents to switch sides, he added.

The public sector’s work environment also demands high discipline and demands workers to follow many regulations. Recent corruption busts have also made some officials and workers fearful of making mistakes, he said.

HCMC has now requested the home affairs ministry to revamp its hiring methods and constantly cycle leaders through multiple departments to help them gain experience. It also requests for better unemployment benefits and encourages those who lack either capabilities or health to retire early. In order to reduce the workload, the city has also suggested the government allow more workers to be hired.