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Salary anomalies in public service - a way outTHESE days one hears so much about protests, strikes and other forms of labour unrest over 'Salary Anomalies' in public service. Obviously, salary anomalies are created when salaries are adjusted to cater to the demands of employees of some department or section in public service on an ad-hoc basis without taking the whole picture into consideration. Is it impossible to solve this problem? I feel that there is one sure method the authorities could resort to which will help to solve the salary anomalies in public service. This method requires that every post in public service is assessed in terms of importance, responsibilities and qualifications involved and each such post is assigned a 'Job Evaluated Index' (JEI). For example: To start with, the post of Class III Clerk in public service could be given the JEI 1000. With each year of satisfactory service the holders JEI could be increased by a fixed index value say 50. This means that a government clerk with ten years satisfactory service will have a JEI of 1500. Less important jobs which involve lower qualifications and responsibilities say, a labourer's post will have an initial JEI of 600 with an annual incremental rate of 30. By this scale, a doctor with only an MBBS degree will have an initial JEI of 1500 with an annual incremental value of 75. Credit could also be given to those doctors who have obtained classes at the final examinations; say 75 for class II Lower Division, 150 for Class II Upper and 225 for Class I. It will workout to an initial JEI of 1725 for a Doctor with an MBBS Class I. In the same way, a nurse with minium qualifications will have a lesser JEI of say, 1200 with an annual incremental rate of 60. These are only examples: the actual figures have to be worked out carefully by a competent committee. The benefits of such a scheme will be numerous, some are enumerated below: a. Once the JEI is worked out for every post in the public service, there will be no salary anomalies because the salaries will always be dependent on the JEI. For example: the salary of the clerk given in the above example could be Rs. 15,000 i.e., JEI of 1000 multiplied by Rs. 15 while the doctor will have a salary of Rs. 22,500. b. Every new recruit to the public service will know where he stands as against other posts. As a result, there will be no agitation to place one post above another post and a higher salary. It will reduce friction among various posts and personnel holdings such posts and result in smooth functioning of various government bodies. c. It will be very easy to grant general salary increases to public servants sans any Salary Commissions. If only a rate Rs. 15 is paid for each point of JEI at present, the rate could be increased to Rs. 16 without disturbing the relationship that exists among various salary scales. The clerk in the above example will get a salary increase of Rs. 1,000 while the doctor with 1500 points will get a salary increase of Rs. 1,500. This will obviate the time consuming recalculations of salary scales in public service at a general salary revision as done at today. I hope what is suggested will catch the eyes of authorities concerned and also the trade unions. AS a pensioner, I read with much pain of mind, the letter appeared on March 7 Daily News under the caption 'A story of a pensioner' by Kingsley Heendeniya. While fully endorsing the views expressed by one of the best Regional Director of Health Services, I had the opportunity to work under him from 1972 to 1977, when I was the officer-in-charge Mahasenpura Dispensary in the Anuradhapura District. The agony expressed by my one time boss, deeply distressed me. He was a rare qualified Health Administrator who cared for all in a dispassionate manner with full courtesy and concern. This High Class Officer has taken his time to educate all officers dealing with pensioners in a kind sympathetic way. I hope and pray that the Minister could have read this letter by Dr. Kingsley Heendeniya, and taken action to inform all officers to be courteous and considerate to all pensioners by circular directive. In this connection, I compliment the Accountant-Pension Branch attached to Dam Street, Kachcheri Colombo 12. I met her regarding a pension anomaly, she requested me to take seat, and immediately called for the file and attended to my matter within minutes and I obtained the arrears with the following month voucher. I record with sincere and devoted feelings the efficiency and human courtesy and deep seated concern for aged pensioners. I wish all officers attached to pension matter should take a lesson from her. Poor service at EPF office KollupitiyaHAVING retired from the Government service I joined the private sector on September 2000. Since that day I had been a regular contributor to the EPF till 03/01/2006 and I handed over my EPF papers to EPF office Kollupitiya on 03/01/2006 after completing my contract and the number given to me by Kollupitiya Office is P/21/42/06/03/A and an acknowledgement was given to me in a printed form where it is stated that if no reply is received to contact them after six weeks. As there was no reply, and after the expiry of six weeks I went to Kollupitiya EPF office and was told that the file is handled by a woman who had not come to work and wanted me to come on February 20, 2006. When I went on the 20th to EPF office I was driven from pillar to post and finally directed to a woman who was off handed and stated that no files for the year 2006 had been still sent to the Central Bank. When I told her that 6 weeks had already passed after handing the papers, she informed me that my papers have not been perfected correctly. As I knew that my matter is being delayed purposely, I got my papers perused by another clerk who works there, and I was told that my papers are in perfect order and no amendments are necessary. Later I went again to EPF office and found that my papers are still there with the subject clerk. I feel something is wrong somewhere, all the facts I had given could be verified by the authorities. All that I know is that the female clerk is sitting on my papers. This type of clerks who are careless or expect something for the favour granted is a disgrace to the entire Labour Department. I kindly request authorities to look into this as all facts and figures are given in detail. Women as leadersSRI LANKA has rightly celebrated International Women's Day with great enthusiasm and flavour. The Daily News give ample coverage in its valuable columns - articles about equality for women, human rights etc. I think Sri Lanka has made giant strides where women's rights are concerned. We are proud of the first woman Prime Minister late Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike wife of one of the greatest patriots of Lanka also a former Prime Minister and the dynamic and elegant charismatic daughter the former President Chandrika Bandaranaike. Several women are members of Parliament and even ambassadors and other women are adorning public forums and international conferences. To the credit of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan women have played a role of paramount importance. It is said that there is a woman behind the success of every man who has flamed into great popularity. Women are the greatest asset and wealth. Kandy - Dodanwela roadSRIMATH Cuda Ratwatte Mawatha, formerly Lady Mccallums Drive, is situated within the administrative set up of the Kandy Municipality. It is a popular and important drive as the tourist Hotel - Citadel is located on this route. Today this highway is in a chaotic state, full of potholes, and damaged culverts. Although there are councillors residing on this route, yet no attention is paid to remedy this situation. The top administrators who travel in chauffeur driven vehicles do not understand the woes of the ratepayers. Due to this situation and the irregular bus service one has to pay about Rs. 200 for a three wheeler in an emergency. Now with the nominations on for the election, attention may be diverted, but this is temporary. I feel that a change is necessary, and if the Municipality cannot maintain this road, then it is advisable to vest it in the Central Provincial Council. |
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