Civil servants can expect to receive their salaries on Monday without disruption, Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg has assured, while urging public servants to respond to the government’s salary commitment by delivering excellent services to the nation.
Speaking during his weekly Finance In Focus programme, Rijkenberg said the government was confident that salary payments would be processed smoothly.
“As far as I know, Monday is payday, and we are confident that there shouldn’t be any hiccups. 
The money is there; money should flow,” he said.
His assurance comes as civil servants anticipate receiving their salaries, including the implementation of the recently announced 85 per cent back pay.
While acknowledging that employees deserved the salary adjustments, the minister appealed to public servants to remember the source of the funds that sustain the government operations.
He said the government exists to serve the people and that public servants should recognise the important role taxpayers play in making salary payments possible.
“Governments are set up by the people of the nation. Obviously, in our case in Eswatini,
the people and His Majesty as the leader of the country have set up the government for the main purpose of serving the nation,” Rijkenberg said.
He explained that taxes paid by citizens enable the government to finance public services and remunerate employees.
“The nation pays tax, the tax flows into the government, which sets up structures to be able to give service delivery back to the people,” he said.
Rijkenberg encouraged civil servants to demonstrate appreciation by providing quality services to the public.
“Please show your appreciation to the people who really have contributed towards you being able to be in this very fortunate position to be employed and to be receiving an 85 per cent back pay.”
