Remuneration Tribunal
&
Public Sector Remuneration in
Samoa
RT & Pubic Sector Remuneration in Samoa
The Remuneration Tribunal
What?
Statutory Body established under the
Remuneration Tribunal Act 2003
Who?
3 members
appointed for 3-year term, renewable
serve on a part-time basis
Function?
Sept 2013
Advise Cabinet on the Remuneration of
holders of “public offices” and of “other
offices included in the Schedule to the Act”
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RT & Public Sector Remuneration in Samoa
Remuneration Tribunal Act
Covers:
 holders of “public offices”: (defined in the Act)
PM, D/PM, Ministers, Speaker, Assoc Mins, L/Opp, D/Speaker, MPs,
Ombuds., MinCEOs, P/Servants and others
 holders of “other offices”: (identified in schedule)
Offices in statutory corporations and other statutory bodies
i.e. all public sector offices not defined in the Act
Essentially the Act covers every established office and
position of employment in the public sector
Sept 2013
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RT & Public Sector Remuneration in Samoa
Constitution & State Organisation
The Constitution
Legislative
Assembly
Judiciary
Cabinet
The RT Act is concerned with the offices in these
institutions and with the positions of employment in
the organisations that support them
Sept 2013
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RT & Public Sector Remuneration in Samoa
Background to RT Establishment
Factors & Circumstances:
 Economic Devastation of early 1990s
 Economic Restructuring
– Strategic Planning for Development
– Public Sector Reform
 Freeze on Public Sector Salaries
 Annual increments suspended
Sept 2013
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RT & Public Sector Remuneration in Samoa
Background to RT Establishment
Strategic Planning
 Vision:
Better quality of life for every Samoan
 Fundamental Principle:
Private Sector the Engine of Development
& Growth
 Role of Public Sector:
Provide Enabling Environment for Private
Sector
Sept 2013
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RT & Public Sector Remuneration in Samoa
Background to RT Establishment
Priority Goals
 Stable Macroeconomic Framework
 Improve Social Sector Development
 Develop Infrastructure & Utilities
 Develop Economic Sectors
 Reform Public Sector
Sept 2013
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RT & Public Sector Remuneration in Samoa
Need for Remuneration Tribunal
Previous Source of Advice:
•
•
•
•
•
Parliament, Judiciary & Cabinet
Statutory Authorities & Boards
Public Service
SOEs & Other PS Organisations
Ministry CEOs & Heads of Statutory
Organisations
Having several different sources of advice and many employing
authorities has led to a variety of pay systems and inconsistent
remuneration standards in the public sector
Sept 2013
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RT & Public Sector Remuneration in Samoa
Unifying Remuneration Framework
Guiding Principles
 Transparency: establish clear meaning of key terms
‘salary’, ‘allowance’, 'benefit’ etc
 Pay Equivalence: equal pay for equal jobs
 Fair Pay:agree/establish factors that determine pay
 Benchmarking: apply an internationally recognised
and defensible scheme
 Affordability: Keep costs to within existing revenue
means
Sept 2013
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RT & Public Sector Remuneration in Samoa
Developing Unifying Framework
Principle: Transparency (establish clear meaning of key
terms)
 Remuneration: salary/wages, allowance & benefits
 Total Remuneration Package (TRP):
TRP = base salary(old) + allowance(old) + benefit
 Base Salary(new) = base salary(old) + allowance(old) + at
 TRP(new) = base salary(new) + benefit
Sept 2013
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RT & Public Sector Remuneration in Samoa
Developing Unifying Framework
Principle: Pay Equivalence
 Equal Pay for Equal Job
 Gender Equality
 Same pay for same or closely similar
jobs/positions irrespective of location in
Public Sector
Sept 2013
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RT & Public Sector Remuneration in Samoa
Developing Unifying Framework
Principle: Fair and Reasonable Pay
Factors that Normally Affect Pay
Job Value
Marketplace
Job Evaluation/Sizing
Labour Market Analysis
Ability To Pay
Sept 2013
Performance
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RT & Public Sector Remuneration in Samoa
Developing Unifying Framework
Benchmarking: Apply recognised & defensible scheme
 We used the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association (CPA) A Survey of Remuneration paid to
Members of Parliaments and Legislatures of the
Commonwealth, 2000-2001
 PM top peg
 Benchmark Parliamentary and Exec Offices
 Benchmark other offices
• Current relativities with P/E Offices
• Modified by RT
Sept 2013
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RT & Public Sector Remuneration in Samoa
Developing a Unifying Framework
Principal: Affordable & Sustainable
 Keep Costs within existing Revenue
measures
• Encourage Savings & Minimise Waste
• Improve Revenue Collection
 Maintain optimum share of Salaries &

Sept 2013
Wages in Budget
Regular review of CPI and effect on PS
salaries & wages
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Public Sector Remuneration in
Samoa
THE END