Pres. Sirleaf wants fairness in salary payment

President Ellen Johnson -Sirleaf has called for fairness in salary compensation in all State-owned Enterprises (SoEs), Commissions, and Agencies.

“We ask for your cooperation in implementing the Civil Service Agency modernization program and the equity that they are proposing in public service,”  said the President; but noted that there will be differentiation taking into account function, responsibility, performance and profitability.

An Executive Mansion release says the Liberian leader made the comments on Friday, January 30, in Julijuah, Bomi County when she met with Heads and Deputy Heads of State-owned Enterprises (SoEs), Commissioners, Director Generals and Deputy Director Generals, Board Chairpersons and Members as well as Cabinet Members.

President Sirleaf said that a more equitable and rational scale can now be argued in light of the evidence presented in the many studies conducted by the Government and its partners. She provided a well-articulated case for why this system must come into line with Government’s efforts to improve the efficiency of public sector entities.

Recalling a meeting with heads of SoEs, Commissions and Agencies in October 2014, President Sirleaf commissioned a study that would lead to a “more equitable compensation scheme which reflects the level of differentiation in size, function, responsibility and financial performance.”

The release says these changes are in conformity with the Public Financial Management (PMF) Act, which states the need for the Government to examine the compensation paid to Boards and to senior management at SoEs, Commissions and Agencies.

The President expressed appreciation to all for the progress they’ve made as it relates to mobilization, service delivery, and moving many of these institutions and entities from a non-functional state nine years ago to one that is functional, profitable where applicable and certainly gaining the confidence of the public. She also appreciated their representation at international meetings.

“We do get feedback and those, who represent us, do so in such a manner that it brings pride and respect to our country,” she said.

Going forward, the Liberian leader requested better coordination and cooperation among all government officials especially, State-owned Enterprises (SoEs), Commissions, and Agencies. “I also ask for mutual respect among ourselves and with partners to achieve our objectives,” she admonished, adding, “Sometimes we are judged by the little things because these little things mean a lot to people.”