Introduction to the Themed collection: Public sector employment relations in turbulent times

We introduce a themed collection of articles examining how the public sector has responded to, and been impacted by, the COVID-19 crisis. Although the pandemic has affected the roles, functions, economies, governance and structures of public sectors, this themed collection focuses on public sector employment relations. Authors examine significant areas which have been subject to accelerated change stemming from the pandemic. Building on decades of public sector reform, these changes impact public sector enterprise bargaining, terms and conditions of employment, working arrangements and practices, and the relationship between public servants and their employer. The articles in this collection provide important insights into the longer-term influences of the COVID-19 pandemic for public sector workforces. The collection also raises questions around whether the positive lessons from this crisis can be sustained to help manage serious crises in the future, or whether the public sector will slip back into a state of unpreparedness. JEL Codes: J45, J5, J81

Mozambique party politics may trump national interest

Significance There is broad consensus that security sector reform is necessary, but lingering concern that the government lacks a coherent plan, and will end up being distracted by other issues. Impacts The economic crisis resulting from the debt crisis will continue to put the government under severe fiscal pressure. Small amounts of gas should begin to be exported in 2022, but uncertainty over the timelines for larger projects will persist. Mozambique’s relations with neighbours should continue to improve over the immediate term.

Compromise will be key to Tanzania’s gas ambitions

Significance There is fresh enthusiasm for the project from President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s new administration, but project economics mean a deal will remain difficult to finalise. Impacts The government has accorded high priority to this project, suggesting it may be willing to offer the necessary compromises to make it work. Lower-than-projected domestic supply of gas could hasten power sector reform and create more opportunities in renewables. Regulatory authorities, which were weakened under the previous administration, will be strained by the demands of energy sector reform.

Government Contracting Services to Social Organisations in China: A Review of Research for Future Enquiry

Contracting of social services has been adopted in China as an innovation in welfare provision. This article reviews the emerging literature on contracting of services to social organisations in China in order to identify lines of further enquiry. It reviews research published in the English and Chinese languages up to 2018. We identify three distinct narratives: public sector reform, improvement of welfare service quality and capacity, and transformation of state-society relations. We contrast the identified narratives with the empirical evidence produced for the Chinese case. We demonstrate that, despite contradictory empirical evidence, the premise that contracting improves public sector efficiency and quality of services predominates. The narrative that contracting transforms state-society relations is contested. This article contributes to the understanding of how contracting of services is justified in theory and practice, and proposes an agenda for future social policy research on contracting of services to social organisations in China.

Government Communication in New Zealand : Changing Roles and Conventions

<p>A brief study of democratic theory as it relates to public participation and government communications within a New Zealand context. A literature review identifies the traditional communications conventions pre-state sector reform and a survey of state sector communications managers reveals the conflict between this traditional approach as it is articulated, and actual practice in the post-state sector reform environment. A new convention is presented based on three divisions within the core public service: primarily policy; primarily operational; and mixed objective. Communications conventions for state-owned enterprises, Crown entities and Crown research institutes are also identified.</p>

Government Communication in New Zealand : Changing Roles and Conventions

<p>A brief study of democratic theory as it relates to public participation and government communications within a New Zealand context. A literature review identifies the traditional communications conventions pre-state sector reform and a survey of state sector communications managers reveals the conflict between this traditional approach as it is articulated, and actual practice in the post-state sector reform environment. A new convention is presented based on three divisions within the core public service: primarily policy; primarily operational; and mixed objective. Communications conventions for state-owned enterprises, Crown entities and Crown research institutes are also identified.</p>