Abstract

This Background Paper aims to promote a better understanding of the need for downsizing, its impact, and the methods related with retrenchment in the civil service or in state-owned agencies. It is aimed at a wide range of stakeholders engaged in public sector reform – politicians, policymakers, public servants, officers from international organizations. It provides material suitable for both interactive learning in countries and for presentations by leaders of reform to stakeholder groups. The Background Paper draws from an special issue on retrenchment from The World Bank Economic Review (January 1999) and covers the key themes related with downsizing in the public sector, focusing particularly on issues related with the recent experience that the World Bank and other organizations have had with this issue. Examples are given for a number of countries. Each section is followed by a summary of key communication objectives in the form of a set of slides or overheads that can be used to illustrate and promote discussion on the key points. These materials