Source: PSA
– 255 civilian roles across NZDF to go
– 10% of civilian workforce downsized in last year
– Another 46 roles proposed to go
The Government is fooling itself if cutting 10% of the civilian workforce is how you build a modern, combat ready defence force at a time of rising security risks.
NZDF today confirmed final decisions that will see 255 roles cut across the force, making a total of one in ten roles axed in the last year (including voluntary redundancies). This is down from the original proposal of 347 roles in March. 46 further roles may go depending on the outcome of additional consultation.
“This is incredibly shortsighted when a modern defence force needs a well-resourced civilian workforce to support our men and women in uniform,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
The cuts include roles in the army, air force, strategy, health and safety, Defence College, Joint Defence Services, Joint Support Group, financial, Chief of Staff office and Veterans Affairs.
“This is all about saving money, not strengthening security. It doesn’t make any sense when tensions are rising across the Asia Pacific area and in Europe. It was only a few months ago that a warship from China was in the Tasman Sea.”
NZDF told staff today it was facing a tough fiscal environment which has forced it to make deep cuts in a number of areas to save money including:
- “cancelling some training activities and major exercises”
- “reducing flying hours, sea days and other training”
- “pausing property maintenance”
“The Government is investing in military equipment and technology which is a good thing but is blind to the fact that civilian defence workers, like engineers, IT specialists and many others are needed to support this.
“All these cuts to jobs will do is increase already heavy workloads, leading to more stress and burnout, and forcing those in uniform to pick up the work of the civilian workers. That is not what they signed up to do and won’t help NZDF improve retention.
“Civilian workers are the backbone of Defence, yet the Government continues to disrespect their vital role. It’s the wrong choice.”
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