Customs to reduce staff?

Press, 22 April 1987, Page 8

Customs to reduce staff?

PA Wellington The Customs Department is set to reduce staff numbers further during the next year, says a customs spokesman, Mr Tom Dun. Eleven staff were affected when the department’s Wellington waterfront section was restructure earlier this month. Five of these had since

sought early retirement, four voluntary severance, and the remaining two had found alternative jobs within the department, Mr Dun said yesterday. The restructuring was attributed to several factors, including the removal of sales tax when goods and services tax Jc was introduced last Octoafaer, and the phasing-out of import licensing.

Departmental staff numbers had been cut throughout New Zealand, and customs services at Greymouth, Blenheim and Gisborne had been closed. Mr Dun said he would continue monitoring the department’s workload during the next year. He expected staff numbers to drop further in some areas, fltther through attrition oF restructuring.