The members of the executive are in a deadlock with a section of parliamentarians over the increase of civil servants’ salaries by 400 percent as proposed in the 2023/2024 fiscal budget.
According to the legislators, the 400 percent salary increment for civil servants, the army, and members of organized forces proposed in the budget by the executive is insufficient. They countered by suggesting a 600 percent raise instead.
The executive claims that the country lacks resources to actualize the 600 percent increase the lawmakers are insisting on, adding that they are already worried about how to raise monies to pay for the projected 400 percent increment.
Speaking during the RJMEC monthly plenary meeting held in Juba on Thursday, Cabinet Affairs Minister Martin Elia Lomuro said the cabinet wants the increment to be gradual so as not to worsen the runaway inflation.
“The executive and R-TNLA (parliament) differ over an increment of civil servants and security sector salaries. The executive wants salary increment to be gradual considering the inadequate resources envelop subscribing a huge budget deficit, while the parliament is for single-step increase within the budget ceiling by making large deductions from critical government institutions,” Lomuro said.
He said the differences between the executive and parliament have polarized the parties to the agreement.
According to the minister, the 2023/3024 draft budget in its third reading will be passed through democratic voting.
“The differences between the executive and the parliament have now polarized the parties to the agreement. The SPLM-IO and SSOA support the position of the parliament while the SPLM and its allied parties support the position of the executive. With such a difference, the fiscal year 2023/2024 budget will likely be determined through democratic voting. Till then, the payments earmarked for the organs of the agreement shall remain outstanding.”
On Wednesday, Speaker of the National Legislative Assembly, Jemma Nunu Kumba adjourned the sitting which was to pass the new budget in its third reading. She said there was a need for wider consultations on the matter following the standoff.
The proposed 2023/2024 budget amounts to Two Trillion South Sudanese Pounds and has a funding gap of SSP 267 billion.