MILLIONS FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS LONG SERVICE BENEFIT

The Public Service Ministry has allocated six-point-four million dollars for its new and reformed long-service benefit formula.

Permanent Secretary Ishmael Avui told the Public Accounts Committee this morning, the new formular includes a 26-pay period plus the number of years served in public service.

Last year's allocation for this item was 780-thousand dollars.

Avui says the new long service benefit package is a retention measure and a measure to encourage loyalty to public service general orders.

Mr Avui made his presentation on the second day of the Public Accounts Committee hearing today, which covered another five ministries.

They are: Public Service Ministry, the Office of the Auditor General, Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the National Parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, External Trade and Immigration.

The hearings continue tomorrow with seven government ministries.

They will include Education and Human Resources; Justice and Legal Affairs; Commerce, Industry and Employment; Lands, Housing and Survey, Infrastructure Development; Communication and Aviation; and Forestry.

Source: SIBC