Article on the collective dismissal of agents of the Communication Department of the Presidency of the Republic
The announcement of the collective dismissal of the agents of the Communication Department of the Presidency of the Republic on May 4th raised many reactions. In a document that reached our editorial office, the agents concerned expressed their observations on this decision to cut staff.
Administrative aspect: unclear reasons
The dismissal letter merely mentions as the reason for the dismissal “new arrangements made”… without further details. The agents concerned have however successfully accomplished their tasks at the Communication Unit of the President of the Republic. In addition, they learned in the same letter of the firm’s availability to call on their expertise if necessary. They deduce an injustice.
Social and political aspect: the first institution of the country
The Presidency of the Republic is the cabinet of the first Institution of the country, in this case the President of the Republic. Employment management must be done differently from other institutions in that the hierarchy is supposed to know that when one leaves such an institution even with or without congratulations, one has little or no chance of finding a job quickly elsewhere. . The political color of which one necessarily becomes a bearer is the cause. The presidential party, the Udps, promotes Social Progress in its name and in its social project. Any dismissal must therefore obey certain rules of propriety.
Budgetary aspect: real reasons unknown
The real reasons for the officers’ dismissal are unknown. Rumors point to budget cuts. If this is the case, it is appropriate to reveal that for 23 agents, the budgetary issue likely to be raised is around USD 28,750 per month on average, which corresponds to a final statement of USD 172,500 for six months of severance pay representing six months of salary. These six months correspond to the lapse of time between the date of dismissal and the date of the launch of the electoral campaign for an election scheduled for December 20, 2023. In other words, we could have kept the agents concerned until the electoral deadlines without affect the budget envelope of the Directorate of the Communication Unit or of the Cabinet.
Conclusion: a brutal dismissal that is difficult to justify
These few observations annihilate any argument to justify budgetary restrictions and/or new recruitment. The dismissed agents are entitled to assert their claims with the very high hierarchy because their remaining colleagues must not feel insecure. It is just a question of avoiding any precedent that could set a precedent