By Ralph Sesay
The Government Budget and Statement of Economic and Financial Policies for 2020, dubbed ‘’Fiscal consolidation for Human Capital Development and Job creation’’ has projected an increase of Le586 billion on the wage bill for 2020.
The Minister of Finance told lawmakers in November 2019, in the Well of Parliament, that the increase of Le586 billion to Le2.59 trillion wage bill previously for 2019 would cover expenses for Universities and Colleges; bringing the payroll of teachers to 5,000; the employment of 3,000 health workers, and 1,000 police officers. This will bring the total wage bill to Le3.17 trillion for the period 2020.
The Government has also committed in the 2020 budget to increase the salaries of Teachers to 30% effective April 2020, and also improve on the living conditions of low-income earners through the increase of the minimum wage from Le500 to Le 600,000.
The Ministry had also acknowledged that the political leadership in various Local Councils was critical in the delivery of basic services to support local economic development but that this was not reflective in the remuneration of mayors, chairpersons and their deputies largely accounting for their low morale and ineffectiveness.
The Ministry noted that, while they expect the review of the decentralization policy and Local Government Act with a view to address these issues, they were taking a first step to introduce payment of salaries to Mayors and Chairpersons and their deputies effective April 2020.
The Ministry also announced an increment in sitting fees and transport allowances for councillors.
The 2020 budget also promises to increase salaries of core staff of Local Councils and Paramount Chiefs. It is also committing to the conduct of a biometric verification before introducing the increment.
While many Sierra Leoneans commend this salary increment for key staff including Mayors and Chairpersons, many are worried about the sustainability of this wage bill in a very challenging economy.
The previous regime was criticized for accruing a bloated and unsustainable wage bill but the current trend is leading the country to serious economic crisis.
In February 2020, Government delayed the payment of January salaries and many believed that this was largely due to the unavailability of funds.
This unavailability of funds has been reported to have stalled various road projects; delayed payment of school subsidies, and also left many newly recruited teachers with no salary.