MBABANE – Swaziland’s Cabinet ministers are the highest paid among comparative economies in the SADC region in terms of GDP growth.
The Cabinet ministers were compared to those of Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Zambia.
Swaziland’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stands at USD 3.75 billion (E37.5 billion) while it’s GDP per Capita is USD 4521 (E45 210). This is according to the World Bank Group’s Ease of Doing Business 2014.
GDP is the total value of goods produced and services provided within a country per year whereas GDP per capita refers to the amount of money supposed to be earned by an individual of a given population derived at after dividing GDP by the population number. When compared to Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Zambia, Swaziland’s Cabinet ministers earn a lucrative E38 602 per month.
The country is followed by Namibia whose GDP stands at USD 12.81billion (E128.1 billion) and its GDP per Capita is USD 4 328.07 (E43 280.70). Converted to the local currency, Namibian ministers earn E32 447 per month. This reflects that Swazi Cabinet ministers are paid E6 155 more than those of Namibia.
Botswana comes third among comparative economies in the region in this regard. With its GDP standing at USD 14.4 billion, Cabinet ministers are paid E28 452 and the difference in payment compared to Swaziland is E10 150. Botswana GDP per capita USD 6934.86 (E69348.60) Lesotho’s Cabinet ministers are the fourth highest paid in the region.
The difference of payment between the two countries is E13 602. Zambia is the least paid among these four countries. Despite that its GDP stands at USD 20.67billion (E206.7bn) and its GDP per Capita at USD 798.26 (E7 982.60), Cabinet ministers take home E24 111 with a difference of E14 491 between them and Swaziland.
The Prime Minister’s salary has been slashed by E50 000 as he previously earned E667 056 per annum but will now take home E617 646 as per the new circular No.2 of 2013. The changes come after the controversial circular No.1 0f 2010 was reviewed.
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