The Chairman of the recently established Wages and Compensation Commission (WCC), Mr. Alpha Osman Timbo, has engaged relevant state institutions to discuss the mandate and responsibilities of the commission.
The meeting, which was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Conference Room, brought together representatives of state institutions in the country.
The engagement also aimed at bringing to the attention of the stakeholders the composition, functions and powers of the Commission and its importance in the overall governance system of Sierra Leone.
Addressing the gathering, the WCC Chairman noted that another purpose of the engagement was “to solicit initial views and comments and most importantly, stakeholders’ support and cooperation in discharging the herculean responsibilities of the WCC.”
Hon. Alpha Osman Timbo, informed the stakeholders that for the WCC to be able to discharge its mandate effectively, its constitutive Act ensures that it nullifies or repeals all other provisions for public sector institutions to determine their own salaries and conditions of service.
“As a way of harmonizing the workforce in the country, the Wages and Compensation Commission aims to address the issue of salary distortions, inconsistencies and discrepancies so that people will be remunerated according to their qualifications and job responsibilities,” the WCC Chairman stated.
He explained that when the Minister of Finance, Mr. Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, presented the WCC Act in Parliament in March of 2023, it was judiciously passed, adding that” the Act makes sufficient provisions to commence the harmonization of the country’s pay system to reflect equity, merit and transparency.”
As a matter of priority, Mr. Timbo revealed that the Commission will undertake study visits to countries in the African sub-region and other parts of the world to gain experience on the establishment and the operations of similar institutions.
He said that the President is very keen about the welfare of workers in Sierra Leone, as evident in the Government’s New Direction Manifesto.
The Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Sierra Leone Civil Service, Mr. John Sumailah, reiterated the role of the WCC, adding that “the Commission aims to address issues related to disparity in Terms and Conditions of Service across agencies of government to ensure fair and equitable wages and compensation system that is consistent and sustainable.”
He added that the WCC will ensure that the public sector pay fairly reflects the actual work performed by the public officials.
“This will ensure that payment is affordable and predictable. It will also streamline and harmonize the pension system in the public sector for a more sustainable pension scheme to ensure income security for workers,” Mr. Sumailah explained.
He said that over the years, the advocacy had been for the harmonization of the current public sector remuneration systems which are contained in various laws and institutional remuneration frameworks.
“This is now becoming a reality,” he concluded.
A PowerPoint presentation on the mandate, responsibilities, scope and powers of the Commission was delivered by the WCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. David W. S. Banya. The Wages and Compensation Act of 2023, was signed into law on the 13th April, 2023, by President Julius Maada Bio.
The Act provides for the establishment of the Commission to be responsible to determine remuneration for public sector employees and to harmonize public sector pay system to reflect equity and merit.
