Traffic passes by the Office of the Council of Ministers. Post Staff
The Cambodian has announced plans for a large-scale census of civil servants and will update the organisational structure of government institutions – including ministries, legislative bodies, public education institutions and healthcare officials – nationwide.
The goal of the coming changes is to improve efficiency, in both management and the implementation of tasks, while also ensuring that the state is not paying salaries to “ghost” officials.
Prime Minister Hun Manet warned officials against forging documents or ordering unauthorised staff transfers during the census and restructuring period.
He announced the upcoming plans in three circulars, issued May 20. However, no specific timelines were provided.
Civil servant censuses were previously conducted in 1995, 2001 and 2010. The data collected was used to establish a database of civil servants which is still used to manage personnel.
This census excludes officials and institutions involved in national security, the Ministry of National Defence, and the prison department, under the Ministry of Interior.
The prime minister’s notice noted that unauthorised transfers or changes in position are not permitted for national-level officials, education officials – from kindergarten to high school – or healthcare officials, and that data related to their working status should not be modified.
Additionally, it warned that any senior officials or managers who were found to breach these conditions will be dismissed, and may face criminal penalties.
Pa Chanroeun, president of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy, noted that the census appears to be aimed at ensuring effective governance and the transparent use of public resources, while improving the quality of public service delivery.
He added that the census will eliminate the loss of state funds to “ghost” officials, those who are on government payrolls but work irregularly, or not at all.
He suggested that it will also help the government to assess officials and identify possible gaps in their skills that may need addressing. Additionally, it will assist human resources departments to determine whether more recruitment or training is required. It will also identify officials who are nearing retirement.
Chanroeun believed that government institutions should move away from paper-based records and embrace a digital database system. Such systems facilitate more efficient management, and track appointments and resignations, as well as due retirement dates, making it easier to recruit replacements or add extra personnel when needed.
“In the modern era, the use of digital technology enhances governance in managing human resources in public institutions, making it far more efficient than in the past,” he said.
