Wale says delay of salary payment is symptom of deeper problem

Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has called on the government to make a detailed report on the current financial situation in the country saying the delay of salary payments of the public service is a symptom of a deeper problem.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Wale said: “I had hoped that there would be a detailed report made to the House on the government’s precarious financial situation. The delayed salary payments of the public service, we assume from history, is a symptom of a deeper problem.”

He said financial circulars issued by the Ministry of Finance & Treasury confirm this assumption.

Wale asked, how did government end up in this terrible cash flow situation again? What is it doing about addressing it? What is the impact of this situation on the 2024 budget? What is the impact of this situation on essential services, especially health?

Read PS Dentana’s comments on salary delays below

https://sbm.sb/ps-defends-delay-of-payment-of-salary-to-govt-workers/

Wale added it is no secret the economy is in a bad place.

“Government revenues have a direct relationship with the state of the economy. But so is the plight of the private sector, and many ordinary Solomon Islanders, for whom daily life has become very difficult,” he said.

The MP for Aoke Langalanga said this situation calls for major substantive policy responses.

“I note the government is yet to announce its policy intentions, but hope that there is serious place given to addressing this most significant of challenges facing the country,” he said.

The MP said Government’s policies must address cost of living issues ordinary Solomon Islanders are facing.

“To fail to do that is to ignore the struggle of the majority of ordinary Solomon Islanders,” he told Parliament.