After quite a milestone and back and forth, the junior officers’ Phase II salary restructuring report has been finalised, it has been revealed.
Minister of Public Service Mabulala Maseko, addressing senators yesterday during the debate of the ministry’s first-quarter budget performance report, disclosed that the much-anticipated report has been finalised.
He said negotiations were at an advanced stage and the entire process was now at the consultation phase. They had requested for advice from the attorney general’s office taking into consideration the ongoing court case.
The matter, which had been dragging for over 10 years after the first phase of the junior officers’ restructuring programme for police and Correctional Services officers, was first raised in 2014.
This phase primarily involved the implementation of salary adjustments based on the restructuring.
Phase II of the programme was not implemented at the same time, thus resulting in the issue escalating as junior officers resorted to petition government and marched to cabinet to register their concerns.
Last month, the ministry of public service began negotiations with the junior officers’ representatives. The first meeting was held at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Meanwhile, senators urged the minister to be honest in addressing such issues and refrain from playing hide-and-seek.
When presenting his preamble, Minister Maseko acknowledged the sensitivity of the matter and assured the senators that the process was going smoothly and would be completed soon.
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The minister also pointed out that delivering on their mandate depended on funds allocated to the ministry.
He said the ministry requested a budget of over E2 billion to cater for the salary review, junior officers’ Phase II, notching, recruitment of human resource, training and more expenditure items to name a few.
Senator Chief Kekela commended the ministry for its efforts in addressing issues and striving to fulfil their mandate.
He said the ministry was key in maintaining and promoting peace and stability in the country.
“It is important to remain transparent and avoid unnecessary delays, which may compromise national security,” he said.
The senator asked the minister to be honest and inform the public and junior officers truthfully instead of playing hide and seek.
Meanwhile, Senator Princess Ncengencenge commended the progress made in the salary review exercise. She applauded the ministry for treating the issue uniquely and not focusing much on what other countries were doing.
“It is good that we are dealing with this uniquely and siyekele bomakhelwane nelukhwekhwe lwabo natsi sinwaye lwetfu,” she said. However, she questioned if government will meet the six weeks extension deadline for the report, which was 16 August. She said there were many causes for the delay and it did not seem likely that the ministry would be able to keep its promise and meet the set deadlines.
Minister Maseko welcomed the advise from Senator Chief Kekela, saying since he was ushered into office, there had not been that many issues as they prioritised dialogue when resolving issues. He reassured that the Phase II report was finalised and the process would be completed soon.
He also assured the senators that the consultant engaged to undertake the salary review exercise was confident that they would meet the deadlines set.
Meanwhile, the Sunday Observer reported that as frustration mounted within the ranks of Eswatini’s security services, staff associations representing the police and warders were now seeking a direct audience with His Majesty King Mswati III.
This was to raise concerns over the long-overdue implementation of Phase II salary adjustments.
The development followed a recent meeting between junior officers- who were members of the staff associations- and a government negotiation team.
Many officers had anticipated that the meeting would finalise the long- awaited Phase II adjustments, in line with recommendations previously made by a government appointed consultant.
However, what unfolded proved to be a source of disappointment.
According to a source familiar with the discussions, instead of moving forward with implementation, the meeting served to brief a newly-appointed member of the government negotiation team on the background and progress of the talks thus far.
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