Malaysia’s biggest Public Service union, the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) has called on the Government to announce a bonus of at least one month’s salary for Government workers.
President of CUEPACS, Adnan Mat said the Government should take into account the excellent service provided by bureaucrats, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said Public Servants had continued to provide services throughout the pandemic.
“No Departments were closed and none of the staff neglected their duties,” Mr Adnan (pictured) said, speaking on the sidelines of the union’s Tri-Annual Representative Conference.
He also reiterated CUEPACS’ call for the Government to announce a minimum monthly wage of RM1,800 ($A597) for bureaucrats following the increase in the cost of living and soaring house prices, making it difficult for Public Servants to own a home.
“With the current salary of RM1,200 ($A398) for new officers, plus allowances, it does not even reach RM2,000 ($A663),” Mr Adnan said.
“Our salary projections make Civil Servants ineligible to buy houses especially in big cities and for those who are eligible, the houses they bought have been wearing out for decades and some of them who live in big cities can only afford to rent a room,” he said.
“That is a long way from being able to provide a comfortable life, let alone buy a house, because the prices are increasing.”
Mr Adnan also asked the Public Sector Home Financing Board to give borrowers a moratorium of two years, or until the house was completed, before deducting from their salaries to repay the loans.
Kuala Lumpur, 30 September 2022
