The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has called on the government to tackle salary disparities among civil servants to promote equity, harmony, and efficiency.
During the release of its 11th Annual Report, the commission highlighted alarming salary gaps, including a staggering 739,551,176 Shillings between the highest-paid CEO, the Commissioner General of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), and the lowest-paid CEO, the Secretary of the Land Commission.
Hon. Sofia Nalule, EOC Chairperson, noted that it would take the Secretary of the Land Commission approximately 27 years to earn the same salary as the Commissioner General.
She also pointed out disparities in government schools, where head teachers earn between 2,270,984 and 2,350,000 Shillings, while their junior science teachers receive a higher salary of 4,250,000 Shillings.
To address these issues, she said, “The government should transfer the function of salary review to the EOC to ensure fairness and equity,” “Additionally, the Ministry of Public Service should implement an enhancement plan to achieve proposed long-term pay targets for all government employees.”
The commission also highlighted the need for regular compensation studies to identify and address salary disparities, particularly in the education sector.
Nalule added, “Wage gaps between the public and private sectors remain significant, with government workers earning up to 24% less,”
“Furthermore, limited budget allocations for salary increases affect retention and hiring, exacerbating the issue.”
She asked the government to take consider the recommendations seriously and work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all.