$1.27 billion in public sector's salaries up to June

The Ministry of Finance said payments of public salaries, wages, and related benefits totaled $1.27 billion in the first half of 2012, rising by 4.8 percent from the same period in 2011. This increase was due mainly to the recruitment of new internal security officers.

The public sector’s basic salaries, indemnities, and allowances account for the second largest share of the government’s primary spending. Basic salaries dropped by three percent to $888 million, while allowances rose by 17 percent to $203 million. Indemnities remained flat at $67 million.