Uganda Local Government Workers strongly opposes the current move by government to start making civil servants contribute towards their retirement benefits before first addressing salary enhancement and salary disparities across the public service.
At the moment, many local government workers and even some central government staff are living under very difficult economic conditions. Their salaries are too low to meet basic needs. Some workers feel neglected, undervalued, and treated unfairly compared to others doing similar or even less work in different government departments. This has created serious dissatisfaction and frustration among civil servants.
Uganda Local Government Workers believes that before introducing any new financial deductions such as retirement contributions, government must first take urgent steps to establish and fully implement a Salaries Review Commission. This commission should be responsible for examining the current salary structure, identifying unfair disparities, and recommending fair and improved pay for all civil servants.
It is only fair that workers first receive decent and improved salaries that reflect the cost of living and the value of their work. Once salaries are harmonized and improved, then government can confidently introduce retirement contribution schemes that will not burden already struggling workers.
Rushing to implement retirement contributions in the current situation is seen as unfair and insensitive. Many workers feel it adds more pressure to their already difficult lives, where some are struggling to afford basic needs and live with dignity.
Uganda Local Government Workers emphasizes that salary enhancement should come first. It will restore hope, motivation, and fairness among civil servants. When workers are well paid, they will also be more willing and able to contribute towards their retirement benefits in a sustainable way.
Therefore, government is urged to prioritize fairness by addressing salary inequalities first before introducing any new deductions. This will ensure trust, stability, and dignity for all civil servants across Uganda.
