Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services has clarified details of the government’s plan to implement a significant salary increase for civil servants, effective January. Speaking at a press conference today, Minister Ceesay revealed that the average pay raise will be around 30%, but the increase will not be evenly distributed across the board.

“Those at the lower end will get more, and those at the high end will get less,” Dr. Ceesay explained, emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing wage disparities.

The minister also dispelled speculation regarding beneficiaries, noting that members of the cabinet, including ministers, will not be included in the pay raise. “Just to emphasize, ministers are not part of this pay rise. It’s only for civil servants, particularly those from grade one to grade 12,” he clarified.

The announcement marks the first major salary adjustment since the 2022 revised budget, which also featured a 30% increment. However, that adjustment sparked criticism from economic observers, who argued that the high-income earners, such as the president, ministers, and directors, benefited disproportionately compared to low-wage earners.

Earlier this year, Minister of the Civil Service Baboucarr Bouy informed lawmakers that his ministry had reviewed the current integrated pay scale and proposed new options for cabinet consideration. However, the implementation was delayed due to fiscal constraints and tight revenue streams.

Economic analysts suggest that this new increment could provide much-needed relief for lower-income civil servants, who often face significant financial pressures. However, questions remain about its broader impact on the government’s budget and economic stability.

The pay raise comes amidst broader discussions on wage reforms and cost-of-living adjustments, as civil servants and unions continue to advocate for sustainable solutions to income inequality.