The Angolan government has identified over 31,000 public servants who are suspected of being "ghost workers" and are now required to prove their effectiveness. According to the Ministry of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security (MAPTSS), these individuals are listed in the database as active but lack physical proof of their employment. The ministry is treating the situation within the legal and administrative framework, in collaboration with relevant authorities.
The MAPTSS has clarified that public servants with regular employment status have nothing to fear, as they only need to verify their status with their respective Human Resources (HR) departments. However, those found to be irregular will be removed from the payroll and held accountable. Since January, over 300,000 public servants have been registered, representing a 91% increase.
Minister of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security, Teresa Rodrigues Dias, revealed that the 31,000 suspected ghost workers include individuals with unknown whereabouts, missing personal documents, and lack of physical proof of employment. Additionally, some deceased or retired individuals are still listed as active. The minister described these cases as probable ghost workers and assured that the government is working to address the issue.
The MAPTSS is implementing measures to verify the employment status of public servants and prevent ghost workers. The ministry has launched the Integrated System for Human Resource Management of the Public Function (SINGERH), a platform designed to ensure uniform, systematic, and efficient control of public personnel. The system allows for the registration of all personnel management acts, from planning to the establishment and termination of employment contracts.
The SINGERH system, inaugurated by Minister Teresa Rodrigues Dias, will serve as a single database for the public sector, covering the entire professional lifecycle of public servants, from recruitment to retirement. The minister emphasized that the system will help to prevent ghost workers and ensure better management of public resources. The suspected ghost workers are estimated to have resulted in significant financial losses for the state.
The Angolan government is taking steps to optimize public sector management and reduce financial losses. The introduction of the SINGERH system is part of these efforts, aiming to improve transparency and accountability in public administration. The government has urged public servants to regularize their employment status and assured that those with legitimate employment will not be affected.
Key points
- Over 31,000 Angolan public servants are suspected of being ghost workers and must prove their effectiveness.
- The government has launched the SINGERH system to ensure uniform control and management of public personnel.
- The suspected ghost workers are estimated to have resulted in significant financial losses for the state.
