Accra, Nov. 16, GNA - The Ghana Universal Salary Structure (GUSS) is to be abolished for the Government approved Comprehensive Salary Structure, whose implementation would commence next year; Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Public Sector Reforms, announced on Thursday.

Briefing the press after the Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu had presented the 2007 Budget and Economic Policy of Government to Parliament, Dr Nduom said to facilitate pay administration, a single pay spine would be implemented to cover all positions in the Public Sector.

=93This single pay spine will make it easier to perform job evaluations and determine the relative worth of every public sector position. Indeed the central theme of the Comprehensive Salary Structure will be equity, or equal pay for work of equal worth,=94 he said. =93Our intention is to reduce salary disparities between Public Sector institutions, while promoting productivity within that Sector and the national economy as a whole,=94 Dr Nduom said.

To ensure the success of the salary reforms, Dr Nduom said a Fair Wages Commission would be established to replace the Central Management Board and the Appellate Body, which currently negotiated salary with the unions so that all negotiations would be done with the Commission. He said consultations had been held with labour unions and other stakeholders to enhance their understanding and similar meetings were planned to be held before the end of the year.

A technical team had also been set up to do job evaluation, adding that any future salary increments would be based solely on the type of job being performed by Public Servants.

There are also plans to install time systems at the entrance of every Ministry to check late comers and absentees.

Dr Nduom explained that the system would be linked to the Controller and Accountant General so that any public servant who was absent from office would lose his salary for the number of days spent away from the office. 16 Nov. 06