Government spent 153.9bn/- for public servants’ salary increment

DODOMA: THE government has spent more than 153.9bn/- in 2023/24 financial year for public servants’ salary increment, Deputy Minister of State in the President’s Office, Public Service and Good Governance, Mr Ridhiwani Kikwete told the National Assembly.

He gave the statistic in the august House yesterday, when responding to a question by Mr Mrisho Gambo (Arusha Urban-CCM), who wanted to know the government plan on salary increase to public service servants in the country.

Responding, Mr Ridhiwani said the government has vowed for better workers’ welfare as promised by Vice-President Dr Philip Mpango during the Labour Day celebrations in May 1st, this year in Arusha.

Mr Kikwete said in July 2022, the government increased minimum wage of public service servants by 23.3 per cent from 300,000/- to 370,000/-.

However, he said all public servants earned salary increment at different rate depending on their salary scale. In a supplementary question, Mr Gambo wanted the ministry to work with the private sector to ensure the minimum wage is also pegged at 370,000/-.

Responding on the private sector minimum wage, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Labour, Employment, Deo Ndejembi said since November 2022, the government issued a guideline on the private sector minimum wage.

He said they are working closely with the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) to ensure smooth implementation of the guideline which came into effect in January last year.

Moreover, he said in April this year, they formed a team to review the minimum wage in the private sector that has involved experts from ATE, TUCTA and government official and the report will be submitted in the Parliament for further action.

During labour day celebrations this year, Dr Mpango said the government has vowed to address several issues presented by the Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA), while also calling for their full participation in improving the new retirement benefits formula and submitting their opinions.

Dr Mpango who represented President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan acknowledged their advice and assured that the government is committed to ensuring the resilience and sustainability of social security funds.

Addressing concerns about salary increment, Dr Mpango reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the living standards of workers.

He cited the increase in the minimum wage in the fiscal year 2022/23 as evidence of this commitment, aimed at easing the cost of living for employees.

He mentioned that the Minimum Wage Board in the public service was created in 2016 and ended its term in 2023. A new Board has been formed and continues its duties.