You are not part of 400-percent salary increment, Makuei tells public servants

JUBA, NOV. 3, 2023 (SUDANS POST) — South Sudan’s minister of information and communications Michael Makuei Lueth has revealed that the 400-percent increase in salaries do not include public servants.

Speaking to journalists following a regular cabinet meeting in Juba on Friday, Makuei who is also the government spokesman said public servants are still in their old pay structure and that they are not included in the 400-percent increase in salaries.

“It is worth mentioning that this new salary structure or increment did not apply to public servant it is only for civil servants,”Makuei said.

Public servants are those employed to provide services to the public, such as education, healthcare, law enforcement, and infrastructure maintenance. They can be elected officials, appointed officials, or career employees.

In contrast, civil servants are career employees who work for the government in a non-political role. They are typically hired through a competitive merit system and are protected from political interference. They are responsible for implementing government policies and programs, and for providing essential services to the public.

Makuei said that modifications to the public servants’ salaries will not take place unless an amendment is made to the emoluments act to open way for increment.

“[The 400 percent salary increase] did not include them (public servants). So, they are still in their old pay unless the emoluments act is amended. This is the time when their salaries will be adjusted accordingly and so he (minister of finance) briefed the cabinet on that and the cabinet approved him,” he said.

In August, the transitional parliament passed a SSP1.8 trillion 2023-2024 fiscal year budget with a 400-percent increase in salaries of the civil servants and members of the organized forces.

Before the salary increment, a regular soldier receives SSP1500 (around $1.5) as a monthly salary.

South Sudan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fluctuated over the last three years as a result pf increase in oil prices.

However, the world’s youngest country remains in a serious humanitarian crisis. At least 9.4 million people, around 76% of the population, are estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023.

This is an increase, by half a million people, compared to 2022 and women and children continue to be the most affected.