The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Professional Services Employees (AUPCTRE) says outsourcing is weakening public service delivery and contributing to job losses.

The national president of AUPCTRE, Benjamin Anthony, said this in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Abuja.

Outsourcing is the practice of hiring external contractors or companies to perform government jobs instead of employing workers directly.

Mr Anthony said the union had consistently opposed excessive outsourcing, commercialisation and privatisation of public services because of their adverse effects on workers, employment and efficient public service delivery.

“Our position on outsourcing has remained the same over the years because it is affecting workers and public service delivery.

“Outsourcing is creating unemployment because skilled workers are no longer engaged directly.

“If we continue this way, young people will lose interest in acquiring technical skills essential for national development.

“Government should review this policy, protect jobs and invest in skilled workers because they remain critical to an efficient public service,” he said.

Mr Anthony said outsourcing had weakened the maintenance culture in government establishments by replacing dedicated employees with contract personnel who lacked the same sense of ownership and responsibility.

He said workers had previously maintained public facilities with commitment because they regarded government offices as their workplaces and took responsibility for preserving public assets.

“The worker who was there before felt it was his own office and had the responsibility to maintain the environment, but outsourcing has changed that,” he said.

Mr Anthony said the condition of many government offices had deteriorated because outsourced services were often not delivered with the same level of commitment and efficiency.

“You go to federal secretariats and other government offices today, and the environment is shabby because maintenance has been contracted out,” Anthony said.

He warned that continued outsourcing would reduce employment opportunities for skilled professionals and discourage young Nigerians from pursuing technical and vocational careers essential to national development.

“Skilled workers are very important in every society. If you make them feel unwanted, those skills will gradually disappear,” he said.

Mr Anthony urged the federal government to review its outsourcing policy, prioritise the direct employment of skilled workers and strengthen public institutions through improved investment in human capacity.

According to him, motivated workers will remain committed to improving public service delivery.

He, therefore, called for policies that would protect jobs, enhance productivity and promote decent work nationwide.

 (NAN)