Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) seeks to scrap three allowances payable to government employees in what it says is a bid to cut down the wage bill.
In a circular dated August 7, SRC chair Lyn Mengich wants the retreat allowance paid to public officers, and sitting allowances for members of institutional internal committees abolished.
Taskforce allowance has also been earmarked with members of such internal institutional taskforces set to lose it once the recommendations by the Commission are implemented.
Mengich argues that payment of the retreat allowances in addition to basic salary amounts to double compensation.
This, she says, is a job responsibility that is factored in determining the relative worth of a job during a job evaluation, the results of which inform the remuneration of a job.
“Consequently, SRC advises that the allowances cease to be payable for public officers,” part of the notice read.
The letter by Mengich has been addressed to the Attorney General, Controller of budget, Auditor General, and various state agencies in national and counties.
Retreat allowance is paid to public officers participating in special assignments meant to review, develop and produce policy documents away from their workstations.
SRC has explained that the review and advice is “aimed at ensuring equity and transparency in management of allowances as well as guide the government in management of the wage bill”.
Members who have been earning the taskforce allowance, according to Mengich shall not be paid for more than one taskforce for the same period of time and will only be paid for a maximum period of 15 days in a month.
“Where officers are involved in a task force on a full-time basis for more than one month, they shall be required to opt for either the allowance or the monthly salary for the substantive post,” the advisory states.
“Accounting officers shall approve payment of taskforce allowance upon the successful completion of the task, as per rates advised by SRC."
Additionally, the Commission has reviewed the daily subsistence Allowance (DSA) for public officers.
Once implemented, locations that are within a radius of 50km of respective duty stations will not be payable.
For local travels to cities, county headquarters and other towns, the highest-paid officers who fall under Job group U will earn Sh18, 200 on DSA with the lowest Job group A-E getting Sh4, 200 in similar travels.
The review according to SRC applies to all officers in the national and counties.
