Public sector salaries fall to $630 million in first quarter

Payments for public sector salaries, wages, and related benefits, declined to $630 million in the first quarter of 2012, from $700 million in the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The drop in payments of salaries and wages was mainly attributed to adjustments in previous differences in timing of payments as well as some one-off payments made last year.

Salaries, wages, and related benefits represent the second largest component of primary spending, accounting for almost 30 percent as of end March 2012.