It has always been the norm that when the finance minister presents the year’s budget, he should also announce salary adjustment for public servants. However, that did not happen this year and many public servants have been asking if they would be getting any salary increase. Christmas day did come on the 30th of March when the public servants were given an unexpected present.
The Government has adjusted Public Service Salaries by 3% as per the Directive dated 30th March 2016. This adjustment became effective on the 1st April 2016. This increase will apply to the public service including members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Botswana Police, Prisons Service, Directorate of Intelligence Service (DIS) and Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC).
Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) has proposed a 13.5% salary increment for civil servants under its mandate in the 2016/2017 salary negotiations. This trade union reasons that, inflation is presently at its lowest in decades, having fallen below Bank of Botswana’s long term objective of 3-6% this actually means that real wages are being left at risk and therefore a significant salary increment will be a much needed shot in the arm for households and consequently stimulate small business sector growth.
