Public Servants Welcome Salary Increase

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 30 MAY 2023: The salary increase for public servants is a welcome gift to wrap up the yearlong 60^th Independence Anniversary celebrations which ends today with a special closing ceremony.

Several public servants Talamua spoke to are happy and commended the Government for the increase.

The salary increase is one of the highlights of the 2023/2024 Budget on the theme “Advancing Growth Through Sustainable Pathways Conducive to Socio-Economic Welfare & Building Resilience,” tabled by the Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o in Parliament yesterday morning.

The salary increase is a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for all public servants and will come into effect on 8^th July 2023.

“This COLA will see a 10% increase in the annual salaries of all Principal Officers and below. Those earning above Principal Officers to below CEO level will see a 5% increase whilst CEOs and above including the Civil List will see a 3% increase,” she said.

SALARY INCREASE HIGHLIGHTS:

• 10% increase for those in the Principal levels and below.

• 5% increase for those above the Principal level to Assistant CEOs.

• 3% increase for CEOs and Civil List.

The Minister said the changes in the salary adjustment was a result of a review by the Remuneration Tribunal, the Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Finance after identifying the key salary earners who feel the burden of the current inflationary pressures the most.

She also said in consideration of the ability of the private sector to keep up, the new adjustments will be implemented over two years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.

The public servants have been calling on Government for a salary increase a few months after the new Government took office in mid July 2021.

However, a salary increase pushed through by senior public servants in last year’s budget, was delayed by Cabinet as it was subject to a review by the Remuneration Tribunal, the Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Finance.