The scope of Salary Standardization Law of 2019 is only until next year, 2023.
Under the said law, the salary increase for government employees shall be implemented in four (4) tranches beginning January 1, 2020.
This year, the implementation of salary increase is already at its third tranche which means, available resources permit, the fourth tranche will be implemented next year, 2023.
Many are asking, after next year, will there be another Salary Standardization Law? Will there be a salary increase for government employees in 2024?
Well, headlines and news are everywhere on the internet that says:
THE MARCOS administration may consider another round of annual salary increases for government employees starting 2024 as the scope of the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) is only until 2023, the economic managers said.
Business World
Given its limited fiscal space wrought by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the government will study if its workers could continue to enjoy another round of yearly salary hikes starting 2024.
Inquirer.net
The government will study the need for another round of salary increase for state workers by 2024, a move that was implemented by the previous administration.
Philstar Global
In an interview by the Business World with Finace Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno, the Secretary said that the national budget proposal for next year includes an appropriation for a study on the need and level of the next round of salary increases in 2024 onward.
This was further explained by Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman by saying that the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations has been given a budget to conduct a study for the next SSL.
Under the proposed budget for FY 2023, P49.5 million has been allocated for the Governance Commission for government-owned and controlled corporations (GCG) for the said study.
Engagement of Job Order and Contract of Service workers ending in December 31, 2022
Under DBM-COA Joint Circular No. 2, s. 2020, government agencies may engage the services of job order and contract of service workers until December 31, 2022.
Agencies may engage the services of new COS/JO workers through individual contract and renew the individual contracts of their existing COS/JO workers until December 31, 2022. Thereafter, the engagement of COS/JO workers shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Joint Circular.
Item No. 11.1 of the aforesaid Joint Circular
In this regard, Secretary Pangandaman states that since said deadline is already approaching, the DBM conducted focus group discussions this month [August 2022] with departments and agencies to check their readiness regarding the implementation of said government contracts starting 2023. However, all of them are requesting extension on the engagement of COS and JO for about two [to] three years in order for them to have ample time to absorb their existing qualified JO and COS as necessary. The DBM will have a meeting with the office of the chair of the CoA (Commission on Audit) regarding said proposal of the different departments and agencies. [BusinessWorld]
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So Gabbies, let’s all pray both for the government employees, job order and contract of service workers in the government that good news will come to us next year and many more years to come.
In May 2023, Congressman Ralph Recto filed House Bill No. 8081 mandating the implementation of a salary increase for government employees beginning January 1, 2024 and every January 1 every year thereafter until the final tranche in 2027.
The said Bill seeks to increase the purchasing power of more than 2 million public servants in the country that was eroded by inflation. It also aims to attract and retain competent and committed public servants.
According to the Bill, the proposed salary increase for government employees starting 2024 will put more money into the pockets of government employees and will increase disposable income, boost consumer spending, and in turn would stimulate the economy and help generate more revenues.
If the Bill becomes a Salary Standardization Law (SSL) in 2024, it will give an annual 10% increase in the salary of government employees for four (4) years.