In a bid to tackle stagnation and reward high performers, the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) is introducing a groundbreaking salary structure, set to transform the public service sector and propel employees’ careers to new heights in Botswana.
DPSM is making progress in implementing a new fan-shaped salary structure aimed at addressing productivity and progression of public sector employees.
According to DPSM’s director, Ms Gaone Macholo, the new structure will have broad salary scales of around 25 notches, preventing stagnation and rewarding good performers.
The current narrow scales of 10 notches or less have led to over 50% of public service employees reaching the top notch and having nowhere to progress. The fan-shaped structure, which was first proposed in 2018, will enable employees to move continuously up the notches without reaching the ceiling quickly. However, progression will be based on good performance, and employees who fail to produce satisfactory performances will not progress.
The DPSM is currently consolidating and harmonising all pieces of legislation relating to the public service sector, including the Public Service Act of 2008, the General Orders of 1996, the Employment Act, and the Trade Unions Act. The process aims to align provisions and reduce the number of pieces of legislation from four to two.
DPSM Compensation and Benefits officer, Ms Olebogeng Yane, emphasized the need to modernize the current pay structure, developed in 1988. The new fan-shaped structure will help motivate employees, improve performance, and attract and retain talent within the public service.
However, Manual Workers Union consultant, Mr Johnson Motshwarakgole, pointed out that further consultations are still required between workers’ unions and DPSM on some issues relating to the fan-shaped structure. The DPSM is confident that the new salary structure will be implemented next year after completing consultations and other processes.