Policy.

§ 5301. Policy. It is the policy of Congress that Federal pay fixing be based on the principles that— (1) there be equal pay for substantially equal work, and pay distinctions be maintained in keeping with work and performance distinctions; and (2) Federal pay rates be comparable with private enterprise pay rates for the same levels of work. Pay levels for the several Federal statutory pay systems shall be inter-related, and pay levels shall be set and adjusted in accordance with these principles.