Implement the recommended pay structure
May 14, 2012
THERE are gross discrepancies in the pay levels across the ministries, local governments and agencies, which the Government is reluctant to address
By Amlan Tumusiime
WORKERS' rights are human rights, according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948.
The six to 30% salary increment being proposed by the government 2012/13 National Budget Framework is not only below the long-term pay targets as approved by Cabinet in 2006 but also below the cost of living of public servants.
Though salaries in the traditional public service have been increased several times, the increase has not been in line with the projected salary levels. Pay reforms are falling behind the target by between 6% and 35% with the worst hit grades being U1 SE, U1 E and U7.
There are gross discrepancies in the pay levels across the ministries, local governments and agencies, which the Government is reluctant to address.
Since 1990s, the Government has carried out pay reforms with an aim of improving the welfare of public servants. These include; pay reform strategy, consolidation of pay, introduction of single spine salary structure and the pay policy.
These reforms were based on studies such as the comprehensive job evaluation exercise and the pay comparator study, salary review commissions of1980–82.
Regardless of these reforms, the pay remains low and unresponsive to the cost of living simply because the Government prefers not to implement the recommended pay structure.
It is very sad that the Government pay structure disregards the principle of equal pay for work of same value despite the fact that it is inconsistent with the Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and the ILO conventions.
Last year, the Government signed a recognition agreement with the Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union and seven other public service unions, which obliged the Government to involve or consult workers’ organisations before taking decision affecting public servants but to our surprise, this is not being followed.
We demand that the Government implements the recommended pay structure aimed at creating a highly motivated and productive labour force.