Studying civil service remuneration systems in Africa is one way of looking at pay for a major part of the formal sector, the State very often constituting the largest employer in African countries. Such an analysis is of particular and urgent importance for those countries which are trying to reorganize their economies under structural adjustment programmes. In this context, wages take on even more significance for, in effect, a successful reform in civil service pay could be a prerequisite for the success of a structural adjustment programme.

This book provides detailed information on the working of the remuneration systems in African countries. It deals not only with wage levels and hierarchies, but also with job classification and fringe benefits. The author first gives an overall description of these systems and then analyses them through a cohort study based on a sample of civil servants in each country.

This book is essential reading for all those in government, and employers', workers' and academic circles who wish to understand wages systems in Africa and to implement reforms in this crucial area.