Cuepacs proposes to shorten contract staff service for permanent appointment

PUTRAJAYA: The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) has proposed to shorten the service period of contract civil servants for permanent employment from 15 to 10 years.

Its president Datuk Adnan Mat (pic) said this was one of the proposals that would be submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the near future.

If this proposal was accepted, about 30,000 civil servants under contract status in various ministries would be absorbed into permanent positions.

"Previously, a policy was approved whereby contact staff could be given permanent positions on a one-time basis after serving for 15 years or more.

"However, it is unfortunate that today there are some employees who serve more than 10 years and suddenly their contracts are not renewed, although they can serve another five years to get a permanent appointment," he told reporters after attending Cuepacs Labour Day celebration here on Monday (May 1).

The event was officiated by Public Service Department (PSD) director-general Datuk Dr Zulkapli Mohamed.

Adnan added that during the previous government, there were contract employees who had served over 10 years, being proposed for permanent appointment on a one-off basis, but it was not implemented.

He said Cuepacs would also submit a proposal to abolish the cost-of-living allowance (Cola) deduction for civil servants living in government quarters

"Cuepacs hopes that the cost-of-living allowance will not be deducted because it can be used to help in their day-to-day expenses,” he said, adding at present, the housing allowance and half of the Cola were deducted.

Meanwhile, Adnan also hoped that the government would consider the method of sharing accommodation beyond the ministry to meet the demand for such accommodation, especially in big cities.

"In Putrajaya alone, over 23,000 civil servants are waiting to get government quarters. Similar situations are also happening in big cities such as Kuala Lumpur.

"Therefore, it is appropriate to open up quarters built by a ministry to other civil servants, as there are still vacancies in some units," he said. - Bernama