Pledge to end 'sinking lid’

Press, 23 October 1981, Page 2

Pledge to end 'sinking lid’

PA Wellington The Labour Party has pledged to abolish the “sinking lid” imposed by the Government on the Public Service. In its election policy on the State Services,, released yesterday, the Labour candidate for Wellington central, Ms Fran Wilde, said removing the “lid” would not lead to an increase in “hoards more little grey men” but would allow the public sector “realistic staff levels to carry out its functions as a Public Service in the most efficient and effective way.” The Labour Party said it would also make it easier for State servants to move from one sector of the Public

Service to another and would improve long-service leave. It would implement a system of permanent part-time employment and- job-sharing to recognise the difficulties of increasing numbers of people, especially women, who were unable to work full-time but needed work.

Labour would also stop the sale of profitable State enterprises and. assets to private enterprise; would review the position of the Higher Salaries commission; and would recognise the right of employees to paid leave for attending trade union education and training courses. The Labour Party would also institute a freedom of information policy in the State sector.