Governments Reluctant To Implement Uniform Pay Scales – Pay And Pension Committee Chairman Dr Ishrat Husain
Government employees hopes faded about unified pay scales
Islamabad (Daily TheNews / Sunday, December 16, 2012) – All hopes of public sector employees for placing unified pay scales from January 1, 2013 have been dashed to the ground as governments have neither done their homework nor shown willingness to move towards the objectives within short stipulated time frame, it is learnt.
Pay and Pension Committee for revising pay scales
The Pay and Pension Committee under the chairmanship of former Governor of State Bank of Pakistan Dr Ishrat Husain working with the mandate of removing anomalies in existing pay structure of the public sector employees is waiting for the response of provincial governments on revising pay scales of their employees.
No Response from Provinces
“We have not so far received formal response and working of provincial governments on the issue of the unified pay scales,” Dr Ishrat Husain confirmed to The News on Saturday.
Pay & Pension Committee proposal of phase wise implementation
According to him, the committee proposed phase-wise implementation of its recommendations, as it is committed to place unified pay scales without burdening the national exchequer.
“Being a responsible professional, I will not become a party to any decision that is not in line with the principle of ensuring prudent fiscal discipline at the time of risks of widening fiscal deficits,” he said.
Monetisation of housing facilities recommendation
Another recommendation is about monetisation of housing facilities, which imply heavy budgetary implication. Both federal and provincial governments seemed unwilling to implement it and therefore it could be implemented in phases, he added.
Executive, armed forces and judiciary out of unified pay scales
However, the sources said that the executive, armed forces and judiciary would not be subject to uniform pay scales package and they would continue to remain under their existing pay packages.
New Pension Formula
The formula for pension determination would be revised and percentage of last pay drawn be reduced so as to minimise the impact on budget.
At present, employees are getting pension based on higher percentage of last pay drawn. However, this percentage would come down under the new pension formula, said the sources in the finance ministry’s regulation wing.
Monetisation of Transport/car facility
There are reports of massive misuse of monetisation of car facility. Although employees have been given money to purchase their own cars, they are still using cars given to them by the government, said the sources.
The committee recommended that government cars should be taken back. It is important to note that this facility was not intended for corporations and autonomous bodies.
special pay packages for doctors, teachers, lady health workers, and paramedical staff
According to the committee, special pay packages and incentives are to be announced for doctors, teachers, lady health workers, and paramedical staff, who are willing to wok in under-developed districts of the country to ensure availability of health, education and other basic social services.
