CUTS backs calls to reduce Government wage bill.

CALLS for Government to reduce the wage bill for public service workers are timely, Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) says

CUTS programme coordinator, Ishmael Zulu, said salaries for civil servants and debt repayment accounted for over 90 percent, leaving very little room to fiscal policy to respond to the economic shocks such as Covid-19.

Mr Zulu said in an interview yesterday Government should start from the top in reviewing emoluments.

He said huge sums of money was being spend in forms of allowances and vehicle servicing costs among others.

Mr Zulu said if the salary review was done, the allowances and exorbitant wages especially in quasi Government institutions like Zesco and Zambia Development Agency should also be reviewed.

"Calls for Government to come up with a wage bill policy is timely because debt repayments and salaries has accounted for over 90 percent of Government spending leaving very little room to fiscal policy to respond to economic shocks such as Covid-19," he said.

Mr Zulu said Government should take into account the needs of low level government workers in various districts when coming up with the policy.

He said because of the tight fiscal space, Government had insufficient money for the implementation of projects.

"If there is going to be review, it's important to begin from the top and see ways in which spending can be cut,” he said.