Cuepacs: Speed up salary review for civil servants

KUALA LUMPUR: Incentives for civil servants are helpful to ease their burden but are only a stopgap temporary measure that does not solve their income woes, says the Congress of Unions of Employees in Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs).

Its president Datuk Adnan Mat said therefore, the review of the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which is only due to be completed by the end of next year, must be sped up.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced in the Budget 2024 that a RM2,000 early incentive payment for civil servants Grade 56 and below, as well as RM1,000 for all main public sector employees including police, firemen, armed forces and uniformed bodies, will be handed out while the government reviews the salary and allowance scheme for civil servants.

Adnan said what civil servants need is a new SSPA.

“This new SSPA is very important to ensure that the salary received by civil servants is suitable in the current stifling economic environment.

“Incentive payments are only temporary and unable to solve the problem of income not being commensurate with the increase in the cost of living,” he said in a statement yesterday.

However, he acknowledged that the incentives were proof that the government is committed to looking after the welfare of civil servants as often mentioned by Anwar.

Giving incentives all at once in February 2024 is also appropriate as it can reduce the burden of preparations for children’s schooling expenses as well as preparations to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri, he said.

On the RM2.4bil earmarked in Budget 2024 to build, maintain and repair civil servants’ living quarters, Adnan said this is expected help solve the housing problem of civil servants, especially those working in big cities and areas with high real estate market values.

However, he hoped the construction of affordable housing to be purchased by civil servants will be implemented again by the government.

“It is a more accurate measure to help civil servants own their own homes instead of renting or living in government quarters,” he said.

Adnan added that the move to expand the allowance for ceremonial dress for civil servants to include batik clothing will help them buy authentic and high-quality Malaysian batik.