The Libyan Ministry of Finance has announced that it has prepared and submitted a draft law to unify salaries for public sector employees to the House of Representatives. The law aims to address unjustified financial disparities, eliminate multiple sectoral tables, and establish a comprehensive wage system based on the principles of functional justice and efficient public spending. The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.
The draft law stipulates the cancellation of Law No. 18 of 2023 and all previous decisions and regulations governing special tables. A unified salary scale will be introduced, consisting of 16 job grades, with a starting salary of 1,000 dinars for the first grade and 4,912 dinars for the 16th grade. The law also sets a monthly salary of 9,000 dinars for heads and members of the Presidential Council, government, House of Representatives, and State Council, as well as heads of judicial and regulatory bodies and the Attorney General.
The law introduces a new system of monthly salaries for holders of political and sovereign positions, which will be inclusive of all allowances, bonuses, and additional benefits. The salaries for ministers and their equivalents will be set at 5,000 dinars, while agents will receive 3,500 dinars. The law also links the salaries of heads of public institutions, universities, and governors to the end of the 16th grade, and the salaries of mayors to the end of the 15th grade.
The draft law introduces a strict mechanism to link wages to actual productivity through a "merit allowance". The allowance will range from 15% to 70% of the basic salary, depending on the job category. For example, members and investigators of regulatory bodies will receive an allowance of 70%, while university professors and researchers will receive 50%.
The law also introduces an allowance for leadership positions, ranging from 20% to 30% of the basic salary. However, this allowance cannot be combined with the merit allowance, and only the higher value will be paid. Additionally, the law introduces an "hourly allowance" for teachers who work extra hours and a financial equivalent for additional hours worked at universities.
The Ministry of Finance has emphasized that all state institutions are required to pay salaries exclusively through the "Ratbek Hozati" system, and any failure to comply will result in the suspension of payments. The ministry has also set a six-month deadline for institutions to complete the data of their employees, and any institution that fails to meet this deadline will have its payments suspended.
The law also states that any financial claims or differences from previous periods will lapse, and employees will have the right to appeal against job classification decisions within 60 days of notification. The Ministry of Finance has stressed that the new law aims to establish a fair and transparent wage system that rewards productivity and performance.
Key points
- The unified salary law aims to address financial disparities and establish a comprehensive wage system based on functional justice and efficient public spending.
- The law introduces a strict mechanism to link wages to actual productivity through a "merit allowance".
- All state institutions are required to pay salaries exclusively through the "Ratbek Hozati" system.
