Action Line #90406 -- Civillian COLA

  • Published
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Complaint:

I would like to know who on the base fighting to get COLA back for the Civilian Employees here at Incirlik? We know the military are now receiving COLA because of the recent study, and when we ask the question, we are only told - it is a different color money. While that is probably true - who is in our corner fighting to tap into that color of money for Civilians - to see that we are getting the extra help to live and work in the same environment as our military brothers and sisters.

Response:

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to address the question and to ensure that you understand that civilian employees do not receive the same cost of living allowance (COLA) that military members receive in accordance with US Code Title 10 laws. US government civilian employee pay and benefits are covered under Title 5 of the US Code. However, IAW Title 5, civilian employees may be entitled to a post allowance (PA), which is what has historically been the basis for the cost of living increase for our civilian work force in Turkey. 

Periodic changes in the Post Allowance are based on the fluctuations of the currency exchange rate (as has been the case for recent PA reductions for the duty location "Adana-Incirlik") or on the reports submitted bi-annually to the State Department. These reports do take into consideration the costs of goods and services such as food, clothing, medical services, entertainment and the costs of several other goods and services. 

When Congress wrote the law pertaining to post allowance, most of the civilians covered were individuals based in Washington when not living at a foreign post. The language in that law specifically indicates that any Post Allowance for civilians will be based on a comparison of costs at the foreign location and those in Washington, D.C. 

This allowance is authorized and set by the U.S. Department of State for civilians vs. COLA authorized and set by U.S. Department of Defense for uniformed members. Although the two may be calculated the same way, they are not necessary accomplished at the same time. Links to additional information is available at Office of allowances web page listed below. 

http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=166&menu_id=81