Government Eyes Early Retirement Scheme for Civil Servants Starting at Age 50, With Payouts Over 12 Times Salary
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Pakorn Nilprapunt, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of legal affairs, disclosed progress on the early retirement programme for ordinary civil servants, saying that relevant agencies are now preparing the details before submitting them to the Cabinet. Only one point remains to be settled: the compensation multiple, which is intended to exceed 12 times salary, and this must be discussed with the Ministry of Finance to finalise the criteria. The initial eligibility group will start at age 50 and above, but those aged 40 and over who wish to join must have necessary reasons, such as resigning to care for parents or health problems, with the head of each agency deciding on a case-by-case basis. The measure is expected to be implemented within fiscal year 2570, targeting a 5% annual reduction in the workforce out of the total number of civil servants. The first phase aims for 5% and will use a budget of 7 billion baht, initially possibly drawn from the central budget, after which the programme budget will gradually decline in subsequent years. As for the reduction of overlapping regional government agencies, Pakorn said the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission is considering the matter and it must be carried out gradually because of the impact on staffing and missions, but he confirmed it will proceed and forms part of a long-term plan.