JCTR calls on Govt to address wage disparities

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has urged government to pay particular attention at addressing wage disparities in the Civil Service and other public sector and parastatal comparator institutions in view of the lifting of the wage freeze.

The JCTR notes that it is a fact that even within government agencies there are huge salary disparities that require urgent harmonization in the light of the lifting of the wage freeze.

It says even after consideration of social variables such as the cost of living, education and economic variables, it is imperative that employees are paid in a manner that allows them to access basic needs necessary for a decent living.

The JCTR has since commended government for lifting the wage freeze against the background of a looming widening of the fiscal deficit on account of reversal of the 2015 mining fiscal regime, describing the move as a bold step.

Meanwhile the cost of living for the month of April 2015 as calculated by the JCTR’s Basic Needs Basket for an average family of five living in Lusaka decreased by K38.51 from K3, 797.55 recorded in March to K3, 759.04.

However, in annual comparisons to April 2014 when the BNB stood at K 3, 650.01, the cost of this year’s Basic Needs Basket has increased by K 109.03.

The reduction in the cost of living for April 2015 is attributed to minimal decreases in the cost of Charcoal, Kapenta and Sugar.

There was also a recorded decrease in the cost of the average unit price of a 25kg bag of Mealie meal which has reduced by K2.43.