Contract employees to get dearness allowance and provident fund benefits too

Employees working on service contracts in government bodies will now receive dearness allowance and provident fund benefits.

Following an organization and management survey, new standards have been implemented to regulate the service terms, benefits and retirement of such employees. The Council of Ministers approved the arrangement on Asoj 21, and the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration issued a circular on Asoj 23 to all ministries, commissions and subordinate offices to implement it.

Under the new standards, a contract employee's service will end mandatorily once they turn 58. For those continuing to work in approved positions, the date the contract began, total length of service, service record and performance will be the main criteria for continuation.

A relief package has also been set aside for contract employees who are forced to leave service after being declared surplus due to cuts in approved positions.