The Government has been vocal about a ballooning wage bill that needs to be tamed to free more money for development.
Figures and percentages have been bandied around to show how big and unmanageable the wage bill is, albeit with opposition to their accuracy.
The axe seems to fall on the low income earners who have little hope of getting a living wage under the watch of the current Government watchdogs – the Treasury, Salaries and Remuneration Commission and employers such as the Teachers Service Commission and Public Service Commission.
However, there are options the Government should consider to tame the wage bill.
The Government should privatise social services. Already, the private sector is playing a big role in the provision of security, education, medical care and other services.
None other than the Government admits that it employs only 1.5 per cent of the population.
Everywhere you look, you are likely to see a security guard where you would expect to see police patrols – the guards will guard premises, screen you as you enter buildings and venues and so on, most of the time without Government security agents on site.
Public schools are already reported to be severely understaffed, especially in marginalised and hardship areas. If the Government decides to staff these schools, it will see an increase in the wage bill, naturally.
The country should also go the Chinese way to stop corruption. Those found culpable in China face very severe punishment including death sentences.
We also have to reduce the number of elected representatives for example, members of county assemblies.
Parastatals are way too many, and instead of operating profitably, many are making losses. If these continue operating, the wage bill will remain as it is.
