Abstract: | Through the 1950s and early 1960s wage policy remained largely ignored or relegated to low priority by economic planners and economic plans. In recent years, however, this priority has been changed, if not reversed: formulating a wage policy consistent with overall development goals has more and more become a concern of development economists. This new emphasis on wage policy has thrived in Africa. The reason is that while African countries have few wage earners, a large proportion of these wage earners are government employees, and government wage policy is the primary determinant of wage rates in 'the modern sector', or more correctly 'the enumerated sector'. Described is the changing emphasis in wage policy. Critically analyzed is the conclusion arising from the present emphasis in the light of the experience of several African countries. Notes. |