Circulars on Allowances Policy Guideline for The Public Service 2021

Abstract

The absence of clear and comprehensive policy guidelines to facilitate effective management and administration of allowances in the public service has led to proliferation of allowances, distortions in remuneration, unfairness in pay, lack of transparency, accountability and inequity. Pursuant to the provisions of Articles 230(5) and 41(2)(a) of the constitution, in 2019, SRC undertook a Study on Allowances Payable in the public service. The study identified 247 different allowances paid to public officers, which account for 48 per cent of the total wage bill. The findings of the report of the study were presented at the National Wage Bill Conference convened from 26 to 28 November 2019. The 8th Summit Resolutions on the National Wage Bill Conference, 2019, resolved, among other things, that an overarching policy framework be developed for streamlining the management of allowances to improve transparency, accountability, equity and fairness in payment of allowances and to ensure affordability and fiscal sustainability of the wage bill.