The Soulbury Pay Agreement of 2020 is a comprehensive document that outlines the pay and benefits of civil servants in Sri Lanka. The agreement was signed by the government and several trade unions, including the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association (SLASA), the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU), and the Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union (CBEU).
The agreement covers several key areas, including salaries, allowances, and pensions. It also includes provisions for annual increments and promotions based on performance. The new pay scale will apply to approximately 1.5 million government employees across all tiers of the civil service.
Under the agreement, all employees will receive an annual salary increment of 2.5%, with effect from January 1, 2020. This will be in addition to the usual annual increment of 5%, which is awarded based on performance. The minimum salary for civil servants has also been increased from Rs. 16,800 to Rs. 25,000 per month.
In addition to the salary increases, the agreement also includes a number of new allowances. These include housing allowances, hardship allowances, and allowances for employees working in hazardous or remote locations. The government has also agreed to provide a number of other benefits, such as medical insurance and transport allowances.
One of the key features of the Soulbury Pay Agreement of 2020 is its focus on performance-based pay and promotions. Under the agreement, civil servants who perform well will be eligible for accelerated promotions and higher salaries. This will help to incentivize high performance and improve the overall efficiency of the civil service.
The agreement has been hailed as a major step forward in the development of Sri Lanka’s civil service. It is expected to boost morale and improve the quality of service provided by government agencies. However, some critics have raised concerns about the cost of the new pay scale and the potential impact on the country’s budget deficit.
Despite these concerns, the Soulbury Pay Agreement of 2020 is a significant achievement for Sri Lanka’s civil service. It demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving the working conditions of civil servants and ensuring that they are adequately compensated for their service to the country.