The
present sharp disparity in the salaries and allowances for public servants is
immoral and only works to injure the quality of service delivery.
Naturally
you don’t expect to reap the best from grieving individuals who feel less
important among their peers in the Civil Service.
Lack
of proper remuneration policies has over the years fuelled inequalities in the
Civil Service with some workers, especially those hired from the private
sector, taking home perks that are unmatched even by higher ranking officers.
We
are glad the government has appreciated this fact and promises to restore
sanity by harmonising the salaries of all public servants.
The
commission says all public servants currently earning extremely high salaries
and allowances for their job groups will have their earnings frozen as it seeks
to harmonise new pay bands.
The
salaries body has published a draft policy document which, if implemented as it
currently reads, will see workers earning more than their colleagues in the
same job grade subjected to a pay freeze as others get increments.
These
measures are laudable because morale is key in improving the performance of
public servants. All workers should operate on a level playing field if we
expect the best out of them.
It
is no secret that pay and allowance disparities are rife in the public service
and have remained unchecked over the years and this has had devastating
consequences including corruption by some officers attempting to match the
fortunes of their privileged colleagues.
The
disparities have also triggered mass exodus of professionals seeking better
terms, especially in the private sector.
This
kind of scenario is not helpful to an economy eyeing quicker growth, supported
by a vibrant Civil Service. Public servants must fairly be compensated for
their efforts but based on concrete policies.
There
is no room for empty talk on this crucial matter and all parties involved must
be prepared to push through this initiative to fruition.
It
is human that some parties will be upset by the harmonisation of salaries and
allowances, but we must keep our focus on the overall benefits for the country.
The
threats of a swollen wage bill to the economy are real and we must act now. We
need more funds for development projects and not salaries alone.
Guest
editorial
“Although
I receive a small salary from Apple, I do virtually no real work at the
company. ”
Steve
Wozniak
