National Legislative Assembly Speaker Joseph Ngere Paciko has criticized the country's pension system, citing bureaucratic failures and missing salary deductions.
The current state of pension administration has drawn sharp criticism from the Speaker of the National Legislative Assembly, Joseph Ngere Paciko, who claims the system is effectively dysfunctional.
During the nation’s first Labour Day celebration held at Juba National Stadium, Speaker Paciko highlighted a significant disconnect between existing labor laws and their practical application.. He argued that the pension framework remains largely theoretical, existing only on paper rather than providing tangible benefits to the workforce.
This breakdown in administrative oversight suggests a deeper systemic issue where legal mandates are routinely ignored, preventing the intended flow of financial support to retirees and laborers.
Beyond the pension crisis, the Speaker pointed to a lack of professional turnover within the public sector.. He noted that many senior officials continue to hold positions well past the mandatory retirement age, effectively blocking job opportunities for younger, qualified professionals who are waiting to enter the workforce.
Paciko specifically highlighted the South Sudan Workers’ Trade Union Act 2014, which mandates a five percent salary deduction from government, employers, and employees to fund trade union accounts.. He expressed alarm that these compulsory contributions are either failing to be deducted entirely or are not being deposited into the correct accounts as required by law.
This discrepancy creates a climate of financial uncertainty for workers who rely on these deductions to sustain union activities and future security. The Speaker emphasized that this is not an isolated clerical error but a reflection of broader non-compliance within the current payroll system.
Members of Parliament are now expected to scrutinize these administrative failures more closely. The Speaker’s public remarks signal a shift toward demanding greater accountability from the institutions tasked with managing public funds and upholding labor regulations.
Addressing these administrative lapses is essential for restoring public trust in government employment structures and ensuring that long-term fiscal responsibilities are met for the benefit of the aging workforce and the youth alike.