The government, through the Public Service Commission (PSC), has dismissed plans to review salaries for civil servants, citing harsh economic conditions.
PSC Vice-Chairperson Mary Kimonye noted that the escalating global financial crisis immensely impacted the country’s economy, resulting in the suspension of salary increments for government workers.
Kimonye, who was speaking on the sidelines of the sixth Women HR Convention in Naivaisha on Tuesday, March 25, maintained that the stagnating revenue collection also contributed to the delays.
She reiterated that, due to global financial distress coupled with Kenya’s underperforming economy, government workers should prepare for tougher times.
“As long as the economy is not growing at the rate that we want it to grow, even the agitation for higher salaries just becomes an agitation,” Kimonye said.
“We have to ensure at any one time that the government and the public service is manned by people with the right skills, the right attitude and the right competencies,” she added.
The latest announcement comes barely two months after civil servants countrywide gave the government 60 days to address their plights, including salary reviews.
In the letter dated January 25, the Union of Kenya Civil Servants, led by its Secretary-General, Tom Odege, criticised the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and PSC for failing to implement the agreed terms for nearly four months.
“It has been brought to our attention that remuneration and benefits for county government employees at the executive level have not been implemented as directed by the circular in reference. This is contrary to principles of fair remuneration,” said Odege.
While venting their frustrations over the delays, the civil servants also called on the SRC and PSC to address discriminatory practices, claiming that while concerns of their counterparts in the national government were addressed, their grievances had been ignored.
"It amounts to discrimination against the county government employees since the same has been implemented for the same cadre(s) working under the National Government," Odege stated.
He added, “In this regard, we demand the same be implemented within 60 days from the date of receipt of this letter, failure to which the contemplated action, including industrial action, shall be initiated.”
