When assessing the welfare of public sector employees, it becomes apparent that government stands out as one of the foremost employers offering comprehensive care and job security.
Over time, perceptions regarding government employment in Eswatini have evolved. Working for government is now viewed as an honourable pursuit, a position that confers both respect and stability, which were qualities that were once underestimated in comparison to the allure of the private sector.
Traditionally, many emaSwati favoured private sector employment, which they regarded as a pathway to more lucrative and rewarding careers. Civil servants, on the other hand, were seen as underpaid, leading to reluctance among the workforce to consider government positions.
This disparity fostered a significant period known as the ‘brain drain,’ during which some of the country’s best and brightest sought opportunities beyond government ministries and departments, leaving the country for greener pastures.
The loss of skilled professionals undermined critical public functions and threatened institutional resilience.
However, the landscape has shifted. The conditions of service within government have markedly improved and today, few employers can match the protection and regularity of employment that the State provides. Redundancies and retrenchments in the public service are rare and the notion of government as a ‘fly-by-night’ employer is unfounded.
Employees enjoy a level of job security seldom found elsewhere and punctual salary payments have been maintained without fail.
Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that disparities within the government wage structure persist. While there are high earners, there remain workers, notably at the lower end of the pay scale, who earn as little as E3 500. Notably, professionals such as teachers, nurses and members of the security services fall outside this lowest bracket.
Although their remuneration may not fully meet their aspirations, it is substantial enough to be considered for significant financial commitments, such as mortgage loans.
A distinguishing feature of government employment in Eswatini is the pension scheme afforded to civil servants. The Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF), established by the enactment of the PSPF Order of 1993 under the auspices of His Majesty the King, is regarded as exemplary within the southern African region. At a time when Parliament had been dissolved, the King, acting on the advice of the Council of Ministers, signed into law a package of benefits that continues to safeguard retirees today.
The PSPF operates as a defined benefit scheme, committed to managing and administering pensions for public sector employees. Since its inception in 1993, the fund has become a bedrock of security for government workers, facilitating a sense of continuity that extends well into retirement. It offers an array of advantages, including:
- Funeral cover
- Death benefits
- Disability benefits
- Retirement benefits
- Withdrawal benefits
- Early retirement options
- Deferred retirement
- Benefits for abolition of office
- Forced medical retirement
These provisions are not only comprehensive; they foster a pronounced sense of security among public employees. Over the years, the PSPF has witnessed significant growth, driven by an increasingly positive reception from civil servants eager to join. Its vision is to deliver a retirement service experience that supports and exceeds the expectations of its members and their dependents.
However, a salient issue remains. The last comprehensive salary review was conducted in 2016. While it is understandable that all employees look forward to enhancements in their packages, it is imperative to temper such expectations with caution. There is an underlying imperative to ensure that the wage bill does not destabilise the government’s payment systems or, worse still, precipitate insolvency.
Eswatini’s Government is a collective asset, underpinned by the stewardship of its citizens. Its long-term survival depends on prudent fiscal management and the disciplined use of available resources. The temptation of excess, or the pursuit of unsustainable benefits, carries within it the seeds of future crisis. Civil servants, as a vital stakeholder group, must align their ambitions with the broader national interest so that the employed and the unemployed, current and future generations, may all benefit from sound governance.
It is indisputable that Eswatini’s Government is the single largest employer in a nation marked by a modest gross domestic product (GDP). The GDP per capita is unremarkable by international standards, highlighting the necessity to acknowledge our limited economic base.
In truth, Eswatini operates within stringent financial constraints and, as such, must exercise careful management of its resources, lest it falls into patterns of over-expenditure.
As a taxpayer, I am acutely aware of the consequences of failing to champion fiscal responsibility. Fiscal discipline is the cornerstone of sustainable governance. It is government’s practice of maintaining robust financial policies designed to prevent untenable levels of debt and ensure that expenditure aligns with actual revenue.
The discipline to balance the budget is essential, not only as an abstract ideal, but as a means to guarantee macroeconomic stability and sustained growth.
Government must undertake careful management of expenditures, debt and revenue to produce budgetary cushions capable of absorbing future economic shocks. This buffer, or reserve, is indispensable for protecting the nation against unforeseen downturns and for enabling responsible, forward-looking resource allocation.
Long-term economic prosperity is not only desirable but vital. Its attainment paves the way for elevated standards of living, increased employment opportunities and a broader tax base, all of which are integral to improving public services and infrastructure. When government achieves prosperity, it can reinvest in social goods, which completes a virtuous cycle and drives national advancement.
History, however, offers sober lessons regarding governments that have overextended themselves, not least through unsustainable wage bills for public servants. There are notable case studies that Eswatini would be wise to heed.
Greece (2010s Debt Crisis) – In the wake of global financial instability and years of populist salary hikes in the public sector, Greece found itself burdened by a wage bill it could no longer sustain. The government, having doubled public sector wages in the preceding decades, defaulted on its debt and required multiple international bailouts. The crisis led to the collapse of the Greek economy, severe austerity and widespread unemployment.
Zimbabwe (2000s Economic Meltdown) – In the early 2000s, the Zimbabwean Government implemented civil service salary increases as a measure of political appeasement. The State payroll ballooned far beyond sustainable levels, triggering hyperinflation and a catastrophic collapse of public finances. By 2008, the Zimbabwean Dollar had become worthless and government institutions, including crucial social services, ceased functioning effectively.
Argentina (Perennial Crises) – Various Argentine governments, notably in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, adopted unsustainable salary policies across public service. The recurring inability to maintain balanced budgets led to IMF interventions, default and repeated economic breakdowns. Each time, high public sector wage bills contributed significantly to fiscal deficits and subsequent collapse.
These examples highlight the imperative for Eswatini to avoid mirroring such paths. It is not enough to envy present-day conditions or aspire to valuable benefits. Instead, we must remain vigilant against the corrosive temptation to prioritise immediate gains at the expense of national stability.
Let me reemphasise, the welfare of civil servants in Eswatini has improved considerably, with significant strides made in job security, pension benefits and regularity of payment. It is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders, employees, government and taxpayers, to ensure that these gains do not become liabilities.
Government’s ability to honour its obligations, now and in the future, is contingent upon the continuation of fiscal discipline, responsible stewardship of resources and a shared commitment to preserving the nation’s fiscal integrity.
If Eswatini is to achieve sustained growth and enduring prosperity, it must embrace the lessons of history and act prudently. By maintaining a careful balance between rewarding public service and safeguarding the public purse, we can secure a brighter future for generations to come.
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