The government of Jonglei state said it has cut allowances it topped up on salaries of the civil servants there amidst resource shortage to foster security.
The state finance minister, Wiyual Gatkuoth, told Radio Tamazuj Thursday that the decision was taken because the security forces lack funding to provide security.
He pointed out that the cut will not affect the 100 percent salaries increment.
“Our civil servants will continue to receive their salaries which have been increased by 100 percent by the president. What we removed is the (money which covers) ‘Nature of Work Allowance’ because the national government did not include in the 100% but we topped it up from our local revenues because we were being threatened by civil servants during the demonstrations,” he explained.
The finance minister said the monies will be used to facilitate the work of security forces in protecting the locals.
A civil servant who preferred anonymity welcomed the government move saying it will help boost security, adding, “My understanding is that the cut is not on salaries but the allowance which has been topped up from the state revenues.”
For her part, Veronica William Deng, the state information minister urged the civil servants to be calm, saying the cut will not affect their salaries and that it is necessary to tackle growing insecurity in the state.
Attempts by Radio Tamazuj to get a comment from the Jonglei Trade and Workers’ Union which organized protests over unpaid allowances a few months ago were futile.