ReSPA and SIGMA are organising the first-of-a-kind workshop to discuss the challenges associated with public service salary systems in the Western Balkans and explore avenues for their reform.

This initiative is informed by SIGMA's recent publication on civil service remuneration[1], which provides insights into the complexities and best practices of salary management in the public sector. The workshop will also present and explain the 2023 Principles of Public Administration[2], focusing on Principle 11, which addresses public servants' motivation and fair compensation. Adding to the urgency of this discussion are the results from SIGMA's 2024 monitoring assessment in the region[3], which evaluated administrations' compliance with these Principles. The assessment findings underscore the need for targeted reforms in civil service compensation systems across the Western Balkans.

The importance of this workshop is further reinforced by ReSPA's recent staff satisfaction surveys across public administrations in the region. These surveys have consistently highlighted low salaries in the civil service sector as a significant factor impacting employee motivation, retention, and overall organisational performance. Salary management consistently receives the lowest scores in all ReSPA-supported surveys, with only 19% of public servants expressing satisfaction with their pay. Many civil servants report that their salaries are insufficient to support their families, emphasising the pressing need for reform in this area.

This workshop aims to provide a comprehensive overview and facilitate knowledge sharing on civil service remuneration systems across different administrations. Participants will gain insights into legislative frameworks, salary structures, benefits, and unique challenges faced by each administration. The workshop will also cover recent reforms, such as those in the civil service pay system in Croatia and Slovenia, and foster a discussion on the challenges faced in reforming these systems and how to approach such reforms successfully. By bringing together experts and stakeholders, the workshop strives to identify best practices and strategies for developing fair, competitive, and sustainable civil service compensation models.