IN a move, described only as symbolic, new Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed has decided to cut the salaries of the ministers in his government by about 30 percent as a prelude to his austerity program in all fields due to his country's difficult economic conditions. A statement by the government said the salaries of 40 ministers and state ministers have been slashed. A government source said the next step might be to reduce the salaries and fringe benefits of all senior officials. The prime minister said last month that all the Tunisians should share in the sacrifices and not leave that on the shoulders of the government alone. The step, though symbolic as decried by some sections of the media, is inspirational for all countries which are passing through difficult economic phases. The cash crunch is leading them toward vital austerity measures. We in Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries are witnessing successive austerity measures due to the drop in oil prices but thanks to God we have not reached the level of reduction in salaries. However, the huge fringe benefits enjoyed by senior officials should be put under the microscope. Rationalization of the government spending should start from above before reaching the ordinary citizen with low income. The principle of "sharing sacrifices" which the Tunisian prime minister spoke about should be an eye opener. It is the key to the success of any austerity plan. An official should be made to feel, before anyone else, the change of the economic situation made directly on him through the impact of the austerity plans. This feeling may lead him to rationalize his spending and also his decisions that might directly affect the life of the simple citizen. The feeling will also rekindle the spirit of the collective responsibility and drive the citizens, especially junior employees, to understand the difficult economic situation and will motivate them to contribute positively in efforts to overcome it. The employees, especially the junior ones, will be confused when they see that the expenses of the ministers and their administrative cadres were not touched while the austerity measures were only applied on their offices like reducing the number of their stapler machines and other office stationary! The matter is funny. It is like a man moving with a pocket full of holes from which riyals are falling on the earth while his other pocket is tightly stitched and nothing is coming out of it because of his deep concern about the public funds. We can save a lot of money if we stop ostentatious spending. For instance we can use a simple ledger instead of one with gilded cover.
