![South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit [Photo via Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/11southsudan-vid-superJumbo.jpg?ssl=1)
In his key address to the nation on the 10th independence anniversary at the State House J1 on Friday, Kiir said 100 percent increment of salaries has been added to national fiscal budget which was passed during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
“In the 2021-2022 budget, the government has resolved to increase salaries by 100 percent as phase one with immediate effect and fully review late on during the fiscal year when the economy improves,” Kiir told reporters in Juba.
Government employees especially soldiers, police, and teachers are reportedly living in squalid conditions across the country.
A nurse and midwife earn between 2,000 and 5,000 South Sudanese Pound per month, while doctors receive 6,840 pounds a month.
A foot soldier earns roughly 1,500 pounds.
This can’t pay for their food, housing, transport, and other needs.
They often go for nearly 4 to 5 months without salaries.
Kiir, hover ever said that he is aware of the situation and promised to adjust the payment system.
“I am aware that our civil scales are not been paid on time and they have endured irregularly salaries payment for a long time and I am also aware that salary structure has not been reviewed since we reline our currency in 2015,” Kiir said.
He directed the Ministry of Finance and Petroleum to allocate 5,000 barrels for payment of salaries of government employees.
“I am directing the two ministries of Finance and Economic Planning and Petroleum to dedicate 5,000 barrels of crude oil per day to strengthen the financial standing of the government in order to regularize salaries and operation fund payment,” he said.
