Govt approves 4 percent for certain officers

Staff Writer | Tuesday April 1, 2014 12:01

 

In addition to this increment, all fixed allowances are to be adjusted upwards by 4 percent. As a continuous improvement process, the 30 percent commuted overtime has been extended to all grades within the nursing cadre, while the kilometre allowance which will from now on, be reviewed on an annual basis, will also receive a four percent rise over and above the 30 percent increase made in November 2013, says a statement from the Director of Public Service Management (DPSM)Carter Morupisi issued last night

“Government appreciates that negotiations are still ongoing. However, government is of the view that whilst negotiations are ongoing, public servants who are neither represented in the negotiations nor eligible to unionise should not be unduly disadvantaged. Any delay in adjusting these public servants’ salaries, would irreparably prejudice them because as a matter of principle agreements reached through negotiations cannot be backdated”.

Further to that, the following allowances will be increased by actual amounts as follows:

• Ipelegeng- Thirty Pula (P30.00) + sustenance (P7.00) • Old Age Pension- Fifty Pula (P50.00) • Hand Stampers- Thirty Pula (P30.00) • Home Based Care- Thirty Pula (P30.00) • World War II Veterans-Thirty Pula (P30.00) • Village Development Committee-Thirty Pula (P30.00) • Destitute Cash Allowance- Thirty Pula (P30.00)

Regarding the conditions of service, Government’s proposal which include; increasing the repayment period for Government Employees Motor Vehicle and Residential Property Advance Scheme (GEMVAS) housing loan from 10 years to 20 years, free rent for employees in Category 1 Remote Area Service Allowance (RASA) earning areas, free internet and a special Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) scheme for public servants of grade D4 and below, allowing Public Servants to engage in private businesses have been tabled before the Public Service Bargaining Council. Furthermore, to encourage a culture of saving among public servants, Government initiated Botswana Public Officers Savings and Credit Cooperative Society which was registered in April 2013. The joining fee is P50 with a monthly contribution of P50 and above. Benefits include the following;

1. Get loans at a reasonable interest rate of 10 percent at a ratio of 1:2 of your savings 2. Buy shares for P500 and above and get dividends on annual basis 3. Get shared interest from your total savings on an annual basis Government endeavours, where possible and necessary, to regularly update its employees, concerned parties and members of the public on significant events or changes on the matter.