A restructuring at the Social Development Ministry will create 200 redundancies out of its 9500 staff. The Govt sees the restructuring as moving more resources out of the back office on to the frontline. It could save “many millions” of dollars and CEO Peter Hughes contends the restructuring is needed to absorb cost increases. It would shore up MSD’s financial security until 2012. An extra 50 to 70 front-line positions mostly for case managers will be created.
Labour leader Phil Goff says it makes a mockery of the Govt’s claim saving jobs is one of its highest priorities. State Services Minister Tony Ryall says there is to be a “redeployment” pool for public servants , which will match those who lost their positions with other jobs in the state service.

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