Public spending on wages up

Salaries and benefits cost $1.3 billion in first half

Government spending on public sector salaries, wages, and related benefits stood at around $1.27 billion in the first half of the year, rising by 4.7 percent from the same period in 2011. Basic salaries amounted to $892 million, down by three percent year-on-year.

Public sector salaries represented 21 percent of primary spending, down by 25 percent from a year ago.

Payments to military personnel totaled $760 million. Payments to academic staff and civilian personnel totaled $258 million and $240 million respectively.