THE Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations has adjusted its budget submission to account for the ongoing fuel crisis.
Line minister Agni Deo Singh confirmed the original submission was prepared before the crisis emerged, but said changes would now be necessary as the Government finalises its budget.
Mr Singh said the ministry had already submitted its budget proposal and held discussions with senior officials from the Ministry of Finance.
“We have already made our budget submission. We are very hopeful,” he said.
“We expect to be able to continue with our normal operations.”
Mr Singh said the ministry had sought additional funding to expand services and strengthen compliance with labour laws.
This would also support awareness programs across the country once the ministry’s labour reform legislation is passed by Parliament. “To make sure that all our employers and workers and their organisations fully understand the changes that are going to be made and that we are able to comply.”
Despite the uncertainty, given the current fuel crisis, Mr Singh said the ministry was prepared to work within the resources available.
“But we are prepared to manage with whatever we are able to afford. I think that is the bottom line.”
Mr Singh also revealed that the ministry had utilised almost 90 per cent of its current budget allocation, maintaining a spending rate that typically ranges between 80 and 90 per cent.
“We have utilised almost 90 per cent. Our utilisation has always been around 80-90 per cent. So we make sure that whatever we have asked for, we utilise it for the purpose that it is intended for.”
