… To be backdated from April 1, 2022 and implemented at the end of January 2023
… Consultants working on Phase II of restructuring exercise
BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– Already at work!
This is the Government of Eswatini, who have attempted hastily to attend to the salary restructuring of junior officer in security forces.
Through the Ministry of Public Service junior officer in the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) and Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) a salary cushion of four per cent which will be backdated to April 1, 2022.
It was highlighted, though, that the new salary cushion for junior officers in the security forces will be implemented by end of January 2023.
In the meantime, consultants will be working on the Phase II of the Restructuring Exercise of 2014.
Worth noting is that about a month ago, the Government Negotiation Table (GNT) and Public Sector Associations (PSAs), settled for three per cent increment for civil servants, which will be backdated from April 2022 as well.
Yesterday, this publication published that the Eswatini Government would be engaging with consultants who will be assisting in the restructuring of salaries of junior officers of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS).
This was according to Government Spokesperson Alpheus Nxumalo, who was live on ‘Letishisako’ on Eswatini Broadcast and Information Service (EBIS) yesterday morning.
Worth noting is that currently, junior police officers and warders, through the REPS Staff Association and HMCS Staff Association, are currently negotiating salary restructuring with Eswatini Government.
“Eswatini Government has brought in consultants to assist on the matter,” said Nxumalo live on air.
Nxumalo said this exercise was going to be carried out by the Ministry of Public Service. He did not reveal the consultant’s name/identity.
When asked how long the consultants would be working with government with regards to the above mentioned issue, the Government Spokesperson said not more than 12 months.
“It is generally known that consultants do not come cheap. We will work with them for not longer than 12 months. It may be even a way shorter period than that,” said Nxumalo.
Meanwhile, last Thursday, Members of Parliament (MPs), advised government to make the junior security officers’ Phase II implementation its first item on its list of priorities.
His Excellency Prime Minister (PM) Cleopas Dlamini addressed the issue of salary restructuring for junior officers in the security forces on the same day. He said government was aware of the concerns, hence the manner in which an earlier restructuring exercise was carried out.
