The federal government has announced an ad hoc relief allowance for executive and supervisory staff of autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies and corporations, mirroring the benefits recently granted to civil servants.

However, this benefit will only apply to those employees whose organizations have fully adopted the federal government’s pay scales scheme.

The allowance, which will be 25% of the basic salary for employees in grades 1 to 16 and 20% for those in grades 17 to 22, will be implemented from July 1, 2024.

The Finance Division, through an office memorandum, has directed all ministries, divisions, and departments to implement this policy.

The memorandum clarifies that the relief will not be applicable to autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions and corporations with different pay scales. However, these bodies can apply for the allowance if their board of directors or governors recommend it and the Standing Committee for Finance approves it. The financial health of the organization must also be sound.

The Finance Division has also emphasized that no division can alter the conditions of service for government employees without prior consultation. All ministries and divisions are required to inform the Finance Division about the autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies under their administration, including their pay structure and whether they have sought approval for the allowance.

The Finance Division will review the applications and refer them to the Standing Committee for Finance for consideration and final approval by the Secretary of the Finance Division.