President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called for fairness in salary compensation in all state-owned enterprises, commissions and Agencies.
“We ask for your cooperation in implementing the Civil Service Agency modernization program and the equity that they are proposing in public service,” she said; but noted that there will be differentiation taking into account function, responsibility, performance and profitability.
According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader made the comments on Friday, January 30, in Julijuah, Bomi County when she met with Heads and Deputy Heads of State-owned Enterprises (SoEs), commissioners, director generals and deputy director generals, board chairpersons and members as well as members of the cabinet.
President Sirleaf said that a more equitable and rational scale can now be argued in light of the evidence presented in the many studies conducted by the government and its partners. She provided a well-articulated case for why this system must come into line with Government’s efforts to improve the efficiency of public sector entities
Recalling a meeting with heads of government functionaries on October 2014, she commissioned a study that would lead to a “more equitable compensation scheme which reflects the level of differentiation in size, function, responsibility and financial performance”.
These changes are in conformity with the Public Financial Management (PMF) Act, which stated the need for the government to examine the compensation paid to Boards and to senior management government offices.
President Sirleaf expressed appreciation to all for the progress they’ve made as it relates to mobilization, service delivery, and moving many of these institutions and entities from a non-functional state nine years ago to one that is functional, profitable where applicable and certainly gaining the confidence of the public. She also appreciated their representation at international meetings.
“We do get feedback and those who represent us do so in such a manner that it brings pride and respect to our country,” she said.
Going forward, President Sirleaf requested better coordination and cooperation among all government officials especially State-owned Enterprises Commissions, and Agencies. “I also ask for mutual respect among ourselves and with partners to achieve our objectives,” she admonished, adding, “Sometimes we are judged by the little things because these little things mean a lot to people.”