Pay and Employment Reform in Developing and Transition Societies

Pay and employment reform has been a significant phenomenon in developing and transition societies in recent years. The background to reform is presented—in terms of the significance of reform and the (sometimes differing) aims of governments and other actors, including donors—together with the political, economic and social influences on reform. Changes to the number and the remuneration of civil servants are analysed, and the instruments which brought about those changes are reviewed. Comparative material from the reform experience of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries is brought to bear. The experi-ence of reform is discussed in the light of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, with a particular emphasis on the impact of reform on workers, including those who are members of disadvantaged groups, and on the steps that governments have taken to alleviate negative impacts. The paper concludes with an overall assessment of the experience of reform.