Correspondent|THE Civil Service Commission has initiated the process of retiring the 3384 Youth Officers.

They will be given their full retirement benefits and post-retirement opportunities such as vocational training and access to empowerment programmes, the government has announced.

In a statement issued by Public Service Commission Secretary, Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe, some of the empowerment options available to the retired youths include access to loans and business start-up finance.

He however emphasized that these empowerment will be driven by demand, and those willing to take up opportunities should approach Kirsty Coventry’s ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation district offices.

The measures were announced by the Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube while presenting the 2019 budget statement on 22 November.

Each of the former National Youth Service graduates was getting $446 in basic income and other monthly benefits.

Former Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa intended to fire these youths officers popularyly know as Green Bombers in January 2018, but government shelved the idea apparently for fear of becoming unpopular ahead of the July 30 elections.