The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has taken a firm stance against upward revisions of salaries for public servants, citing the pressing need to address the high government wage bill and ensure fiscal sustainability. This decision was announced by SRC Chair, Lyn Mengich, during the 3rd Wage Bill Conference at the Bomas of Kenya.
Mengich emphasized the importance of affordability and fiscal prudence in collective bargaining negotiations, urging employers to refrain from considering salary reviews unless they can demonstrate the ability to afford and sustain them. Institutions are advised to operate within 50% of their budget, with those exceeding this mark urged to implement measures to meet the set target without reducing existing salaries.
Furthermore, Mengich highlighted the commission's role in determining and developing salary structures, clarifying that salary points are established by the SRC. She emphasized the need for institutions paying below the midpoint to incrementally adjust salaries as per the commission's guidelines.
The SRC's decision comes amidst ongoing strikes in sectors such as healthcare, where doctors demand salary increments and other concessions. Despite these challenges, the commission underscores the broader economic context and the government's efforts to stabilize the economy.
