SINGAPORE
Public Servants in Singapore will receive the equivalent of 0.45 per cent of a month’s pay plus a one-off payment of at least S$200 (A$213) as their mid-year bonus, which is lower than usual.
The Public Service Division (PSD) said about 1,400 lower-paid workers would receive a higher lump-sum payment of S$300 (A$320).
It said the mid-year payment — a regular feature for the country’s PS employees — took into consideration the recommendations of the National Wages Council and was decided on in close consultation with public sector unions.
“The payments signal the Government’s continued commitment to support lower-wage Civil Servants,” the PSD said.
It noted that the Singapore economy grew by 1.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2019 and was expected to grow by 1.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent for the full year based on preliminary estimates.
Assistant Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress, Cham Hui Fong (pictured) said the Public Service’s mid-year annual variable component of 0.45 per cent of a month’s pay was a reflection of the lower GDP forecast and the economic uncertainties caused by the trade tensions.
“We must continue to push ahead with innovation and training to raise productivity and will work closely with the PSD and the unions to boost their skill levels and continue to invest in job redesign to enhance the job value,” Ms Cham said.
The Amalgamated Union of the Public Daily Rated Workers said it “understands that the lower payout this year is in view of Singapore’s slower economic growth” and urged its members to be prudent in their spending.
The Amalgamated Union of Public Employees described the mid-year bonus as “reasonable” given the uncertain external environment and slower-than-expected growth at home.
The PSD said the mid-year payments would be made in July and the Government would decide on the year-end bonus after taking into consideration Singapore’s economic performance in the second half of 2019.
Singapore, 15 June 2019
