Lakes state parliament rejects 5% salary cut for civil servants

December 11, 2013 (RUMBEK) – The Lakes state legislative assembly has voted against a November directive by the caretaker governor ordering a 5% deduction in the salary of civil servants in the state.

Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol introduced the controversial cut as part of a compulsory contribution to the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), according to a document which was seen by Sudan Tribune.

The directive was criticised by civil servants who slammed it as “ill informed”, and called for its reversal. The Lakes state legislature on Tuesday did exactly that; unanimously voting against the 5% pay cut.

In voting against the governor’s directive, the legislators explained that the deduction is not provided for under the law.

The legislators also said the vote by the state assembly was to protect the SPLM’s integrity from being abused, as not all state employees are members of the party.

“This deduction will affect the party’s integrity and those who earn little money. The decision of deducting civil servants’ salary will seriously tarnish the name of SPLM”, the resolution by Lakes state parliament noted.

Dhuol described the parliamentary vote as “provocation”.

The governor instructed his minister of local government and law enforcement, Benjamin Laat Mathou, to instruct the state minister of finance to proceed with the 5% deductions.

“Parliament is jobless, they better think [of] other important issues [rather] than attempting to stop my decision – they will face it”, he said.

The governor, who is currently in Juba, reportedly instructed Mathou to suspend the payments of all civil servants until his return to the state unless the parliament agrees to support his decision.

Mathou is acting governor in his absence.

(ST)