Ministry of Health proposes 134 job losses, Ministry of Social Development calls for mass voluntary redundancies

By Jemima Huston, RNZ

RNZ understands the Ministry of Health is proposing to cut 134 jobs to meet the Government’s demands to reduce costs.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Development is also calling for mass voluntary redundancies.

NZ Doctor reports the ministry needs to reduce spending and is expected to slash its budget by $78 million between 2023/24 and 2024/25.

More than a quarter of all positions could be directly affected.

Ministry of Health staff are meeting today and Friday to discuss the proposal. Consultation will close on April 26 and a final decision will be made in June.

At MSD, workers affected will be in the Service Delivery and Māori Communities and Partnerships teams, as well as those in HR, policy, strategy and communications.

The Public Service Association said the voluntary redundancies along with vacant roles not being filled could see hundreds of workers leave.

Spokesperson Duane Leo says the government is out of touch and it is disgraceful it is cutting the workers that support so many New Zealanders.

MSD is the second largest public service employer with around 9000 full time equivalent employees.

Next week the Department of Conservation and the Department of Internal Affairs will announce their plans for cuts, and the following week Oranga Tamariki Ministry for Children will do the same.

The PSA represents about 400 ministry staff and national secretary Kerry Davies said such a big cull was heartless and cruel.

It could also destabilise the health system, she said.

“A lot of these people have been working for the ministry and formed very strong bonds - particularly during the Covid period, giving their all to meet the demands of that pandemic crisis for New Zealand.

“The work that is needed to prepare for the health needs of the country - that’s really serious, important work. It’s the backbone of the health system.”