Activist urges government to release new salaries for civil servants

The national government has been urged to release salaries for civil servants under the re-adjusted salary structure.

Akuoch Ajang, the Chairperson for South Sudan Civil Society Alliance said civil servants and members of the organized forces continue to receive salaries under the old salary structure.

 “The salaries that organized forces and civil servants receive cannot bring them a meal or food for their families, I believe the government should provide reasonable salaries to these people because without doing this there will be no stability in the country,” said Ajang in interview with The Juba Echo on Wednesday.

President Salva Kiir last year ordered salaries of civil servants and organized forces to be increased by 100 percent, meaning if a civil servant was earning 10,000 South Sudanese Pounds he or she should be receiving 20,000 SSP.

“We have strong army but weak salaries, their salaries have to be improved, the welfare of the armed forces have to be improve and also the civil servants are receiving very small salaries compared to some politicians,” said Ajang. 

Our attempts to contact Agok Makur, the Deputy Minister for Finance and Planning for comment were futile by press time as his phone was switched off.

The Council of Ministers recently directed the national ministry of finance to come up with supplementary budget for salaries of civil servants to fulfill the Presidential pledge.

Ajang said ministers and members of the transitional national assembly receive huge salaries and perks compared to civil servants.

“A soldier will not sacrifice his life or will not go and fulfil his duty when they are not receiving enough salaries,” he said.