There will be no mid-year bonus for Singapore’s 85,000 Public Servants this year with the most senior officers in Superscale Grades receiving a one-off cut of up to the equivalent of a month’s pay.
The announcement by the Public Service Division (PSD) comes on top of an earlier half-month pay cut taken by senior Public Service officers in key leadership positions.
The PSD said the Public Service stood in solidarity with the rest of the nation during the COVID-19 crisis and the decision was taken by the Government in close consultation with the public sector unions, and against the backdrop of a worsening economic outlook.
“The Government appreciates the hard work and sacrifices of public officers in the fight against COVID-19, including those working on the front line and behind the scenes,” PSD said in a statement.
“Many have gone beyond their call of duty to take on additional or expanded roles to support our workers, businesses, and fellow Singaporeans in weathering the economic uncertainties and adjusting to the new normal,” it said.
PSD said Government Agencies would make “different efforts to appreciate and recognise the good work of officers”.
It said that in deciding on whether to have a year-end bonus later this year, the Government will take into consideration the National Wages Council’s (NWC) recommendations to give special consideration to lower-wage workers.
Minister-in-charge of the Public Service, Chan Chun Sing, in a message to Public Servants, thanked them for their “hard work and dedication”.
Mr Chan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry Minister, added: “If the economic situation is better at year end, we can then consider if there can be a year-end payment, especially for lower-wage workers.”
Singapore, 21 June 2020
