As the federal government expedites the finalization of the 2024-25 budget, significant changes are on the horizon for the public sector workforce. According to reports, the Finance Minister has proposed a substantial 15-20% salary increase, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance compensation across various grades.
The reports suggest a noteworthy revision in the monetization policy for the bureaucracy. Specifically, the Finance Ministry has proposed an increase in the monetization allowance from Rs40,000 to Rs60,000, while officers up to Grade 20 could see their monetization benefits rise from Rs65,000 to Rs105,000. This substantial increment is part of a broader effort to ensure competitive compensation and improve bureaucratic efficiency.
The proposed salary hikes of 10% for officers from Grade 1 to 20 are expected to impose an Rs80 billion impact on the national exchequer. This move underscores the government’s commitment to addressing wage stagnation and improving the livelihood of public sector employees. However, such a significant increase also raises concerns about the fiscal sustainability and potential inflationary pressures on the economy.
In addition to salary hikes, there is a pressing demand for a 200% increase in medical and conveyance allowances for employees in grades 1 to 16. Currently, these employees receive Rs1,800 as a conveyance allowance and Rs1,500 as a medical allowance. In contrast, officers in Grades 17 and 18 receive a conveyance allowance of Rs5,000. The proposed changes aim to rectify these disparities and provide a more equitable allowance structure across different grades.
The call for a 200% increase in conveyance allowance reflects the growing recognition of the rising cost of living and transportation. For many public sector employees, especially those in lower grades, the current allowances are insufficient to cover actual expenses. An adjustment in these allowances is not only justified but necessary to maintain the standard of living and ensure employee satisfaction.
Moreover, the continuation of the disparity allowance is another critical aspect of the proposed budget. Employees in Grade 16 received disparity allowances of 25% and 15% in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The Finance Ministry’s proposal to continue this allowance aims to eliminate the persistent differences between provincial and federal employees, fostering a more uniform and fair compensation system across the public sector.
The proposals of salary hikes are currently in the preliminary stages, with the final decision pending approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and the cabinet. This collaborative approach ensures that the proposed changes undergo rigorous scrutiny and align with the broader fiscal and economic policies of the government.
The proposed 2024-25 federal budget marks a significant shift in public sector compensation policy. The suggested salary and allowance hikes reflect the government’s commitment to improving the financial well-being of its employees. However, these proposals also necessitate a careful examination of their economic impact, ensuring that the benefits to public sector employees do not come at the expense of fiscal stability. The final decision, to be made by the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance, will be crucial in balancing these competing priorities and setting the tone for the nation’s financial future.
