The Pay Research Bureau recommends that the margin between the highest and the lowest salary has to decrease. Hence, according to its recommendations, the ratio between the lowest paid General Worker and the highest paid Permanent Secretary has been reduced from 1:7 to 1:6.2.
The Prime Minister announced some of the Pay Research Bureau’s measures in a press conference this morning following a special meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday.
Pravind Jugnauth recalled that this is the 9th report of the PRB. It reflects, he said, the philosophy of the government. He added that the total cost is Rs 6.1 billion, of which Rs 1.7 billion has been provided in the budget. The government will therefore have to find the remaining amount.
The Prime Minister announced that at the lowest end of the scale, the quantum of increase is 10%. He also said that those who retired between January and November 2021 will not be penalised. Thus, their pensions will be adjusted to the new PRB scale.
Pravind Jugnauth said that the PRB has made very important recommendations for the public service to adapt to the New Normal, that is, they aim to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the public service.
Pravind Jugnauth also announced that the eligibility criteria for the purchase of a duty free car is being widened. In addition, those entitled to passage benefits will be able to use the money for the construction or renovation of their homes. In addition, provision has been made for the repayment of sick leaves for the year 2020.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the PRB has also formalised the concept of ‘force majeure’.
Most importantly, the government has taken the decision to implement the entire PRB report in one tranche. This is from January 2021. This means that the concept of retroactivity will be applied. Thus, the arrears will be paid as lump sum in November 2021. In addition, from December 2021, salaries and bonuses in the civil service will be paid according to the new scale.
The civil servants can already blow off firecrackers.
It should be remembered that, as usual, the salaries of elected officials, but also of the President and the Vice-President of the Republic will be adjusted afterwards.
