OUTLOOK — By Salem Al Jawhary — A director-general at a service ministry sent me a message asking me to publish his story, the letter read: “I have been in the job as a civil servant for 25 years now during which I was gradually promoted until I reached the job of a directorate-general. Like all my colleagues in the same position in different governorates I am burdened with heavy duty. I have a family and my sons are studying at universities, I have to pay for the tuition fees and other expenses out of my own pocket. This is in addition to the family expenses, and the money that I have to pay in order to keep the prestige of the job, like a luxury car, elegant dress and things like that. I have to keep on moving between my office and the government headquarters on a daily basis to follow up the projects being executed.
Besides the workload I also have to endure a similar pressure from the citizens who blame us for the slightest mistake. They even accuse us of office abuse, which is the worst of all accusations. I get an RO 1,250 salary after quarter a century in service during which I worked very hard and I had to endure with patience the gruelling job.
My message to the officials is to reconsider the conditions of the director-generals, particularly those working in the service ministries in different governorates, and address their grievances.
This segment of civil servants endeavour to ensure quality services to the citizens while they are battling to make ends meet as their salaries cannot afford the high
cost of living from home
loans instalments to education expenses, to mention a
few.
We seek a solution to our problems and we hope that the officials would kindly reconsider increasing our salaries. This job of ours is so sensitive that the minutest unintentional mistake we make could be misconstrued as dishonesty and working for our own interests.”
That was the message sent to me by a director-general. I would like to add my voice in support of this group of executives and I think it’s highly important to raise their salaries by adding some allowances and benefits that can help them lead a dignified life and enable them to perform their duties perfectly, especially at a time when the prices of commodities are spiralling.
This job is an integral part of the administrative hierarchy and its holders are burdened with arduous tasks and tough responsibilities. Worse, they are also haunted by suspicions as to their honesty.
There is a group of citizens suffering too much, working sincerely and silently and contributing greatly to the development of the nation, nevertheless their sacrifices go unnoticed and their efforts unrewarded. On the other hand, those who work less
get bonuses and other privileges.
I would like to add my voice in support of this group of executives and I think it’s highly important to raise their salaries by adding some allowances and benefits that can help them lead a dignified life and enable them to perform their duties perfectly, especially at a time when the prices of commodities are spiralling. This job is an integral part of the administrative hierarchy and its holders are burdened with arduous tasks and tough responsibilities
