UPC wants govt set up commission to review civil servant salaries

Jan 31, 2019

The party argues that public servants across the various salary structures in Uganda cannot afford basic means of living

The Uganda People's Congress (UPC) has urged the government to initiate a policy framework to establish a salary and remuneration commission to cure challenges civil servants are now facing.

Speaking during a media briefing at the UPC headquarters at Uganda House on Wednesday, party spokesperson Michael Orach said that given the current situation where almost all civil servant workers are down tools, the government should put in place the commission to enable civil servants to settle their grievances.

"Last time it was teachers striking, then Makerere lecturers went on strike all demanding for a salary increment, this means there is a problem that has to be addressed," Orach said.

He said issues of corruption are continuing to persist because some people are given less pay compared to others of the same profession working directly in government offices.

Orach said as soon as one enters a Police office, there is a notice reading corruption is prohibited and that Police bond is free but when they arrest people, they are forced to pay money in order to get bond.

"If Police bond is free and Police is not corrupt, why don't they let those in their cells go out on free Police bond?" Orach asked.

He said the policy of treating employees differently or less favourably breeds discrimination and that poor pay reduces morale to work and increases the possibility of negative creativity.

Orach added that public servants across the various salary structures in Uganda cannot afford basic means of living such as providing shelter, healthcare, school fees for children and clothing among others, which deters them from executing their professional work accordingly.

"Apparently the situation is not okay and if not addressed, will demotivate the labour force and increase the rate of down tooling which may not be good for our economy," Orach said.

He said in order for the government to mitigate the latent conflict arising from discrimination in remuneration, it should establish a salary policy to enforce harmonisation of the remuneration across the whole spectrum of civil service.

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