The President’s Office has today requested all government offices to start implementing the austerity measures to alleviate budget expenditure from 1 September 2009.
The measures stated in a directive issued by the President’s Office include, reducing 20 percent from the salaries and allowances of government appointees ranked deputy minister and above and 10 percent from the salaries and allowances of other political employees.
It also includes holding discussions with the Civil Service Commission on reducing the salaries and allowances, by 5-10 percent, of the civil service staff.
The measures outlined in the directive include prohibiting overtime and holding official government events during the weekend.
Other measures include:
reducing the number of government employees where possible
releasing government rented places – except where necessary – before the end of September
reducing the number of overseas and local visits
using government venues for holding events instead of renting.
