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Progressive wage proposals

In the aftermath of the presentation of the UNF Government's first budget proposals a couple of weeks back, the cry was heard in some quarter that it was no pro-people budget. There was some justification for this claim because the budget offered no immediate and palpable benefits for the less affluent social strata although it was obvious that the proposals were development-oriented and looked more to long-term gains.

Coming on the heels of this debate, the Tissa Devendra Salaries Commission recommendation of a minimum wage of Rs. 6000, is most welcome. The Government's long-gestation economic plans could yield some solid benefits for the ordinary people, but in the interim they must be enabled to make ends meet through substantial wage reforms.

The Tissa Devendra Commission's principal recommendation, when viewed in this context, merits serious consideration on account of its progressive features. On probing the commission's recommendations further we learn that one of its chief aims is to reduce the huge income gap between the highest and lowest paid public servants. To bridge this gap, the Commission recommends that the salaries of the lowest ranks of the public service be increased by 70 per cent while those of the higher ranks be raised by 30 per cent.

That Sri Lanka is now considered a "Middle Income Country" by some international organisations may be welcome news for governments, but may prove a misleading category when the real income of the economically underprivileged is considered. As is well known, the per capita GNP of a country is no reliable measure of its prosperity. Categories such as the Physical quality of Life Index, may prove more relevant as pointers to well-being of the people than the traditional yardsticks.

What all this proves is the continuing relevance the income level of the masses bears to a reliable assessment of a country's development. All legitimate means should be used to bridge the income gap among the social classes for the realisation of our development aims and it is from this point of view that the Commission recommendations should be considered valuable.

Economic growth minus redistributive justice could prove counter-productive in the long run on account of its implications for socio-political unrest. Today, upward mobility is pronounced among certain local social segments but it is an open question whether this rat race for a place in the sun is launched on an even playing field. The majority of contestants are thrust out of this race, on account of a lack of economic means. This is the reason why a substantial minimum wage for public servants is essential.

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