Job losses are unlikely in the Public Service in the event of the Public Service Ministry contracting services to individual contractors as part of the ministry's plans to restructure the Department of Water and Sewerage and Roads and Mechanical Services.

Permanent Secretary, Taina Tagicakibau confirms that with regards to the 44 tenders handed in for contract work, majority of the tenders are current workers who have formed companies and tendered for the contracted work.

Tagicakibau reiterates that these employees will be moving out of the service therefore reducing costs.

With regards to other workers that have not formed companies Tagicakibau said their expertise will be used elsewhere.

44 companies have tendered their expressions of interest on the provision of government services.

Some of the criteria include companies having a proven track record of engaging in these services for a number of years and they must be financially sound.