Source: The National

By LESLIE OMARO

THE Public Employees Association has maintained its stand on the K250 housing allowance subsidy for public servants.

Association president Michael Malabag said it was a requirement for public servants to get housing subsidies so they could afford decent accommodation because many lived in settlements.

But Malabag said since last year, the housing allowance was never paid as it was still before the Public Service Arbitration and Conciliation Tribunal.

He said two meetings were held with former tribunal chairman Pex Avosa on the issue and it was during the third meeting that the waiting game started.

“The third meeting, called a compulsory conference, was when it was going be decided whether to implement the K250 housing allowance,”  Malabag said.

“But Avosa retired as chairman and Beverly Doiwa was appointed to replace him and, since then, our claim has not been heard. 
“They (public servants) need a roof over their heads and the housing allowance will help ease that burden.”  Malabag said Personnel Management secretary John Kali wanted to do away with the housing allowance for public servants.

“Senior government officers on a Grade 15 salary range have some sort of housing allowance but there is none for the lower scale,”  Malabag said.

“At least give them some sort of housing allowance.
“I will not give up but push and push for the housing allowance to be implemented.”