The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) has proposed that the government considers giving a bonus of one and a half months’ wages to civil servants, as well as two new initiatives, to ease the financial burden of those living in the city in Budget 2018, which is to be tabled on Oct 27.
Cuepacs president Azih Muda said it is vital for the government to consider the proposed city allowance and public transport discount card, due to the rising costs faced by civil servants living in the city.
"On the bonus, we no longer want the RM500 financial aid, it is time for the government to pay a bonus of one and a half months’ to civil servants.
“As for the provision of public transport rebates, Cuepacs proposes that the discount card be provided to civil servants and government pensioners when using public transportation starting January 2018,” he told reporters in a special media conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
He said in introducing the city allowance, especially to civil servants living in urban areas, Cuepacs proposed a monthly payment of RM300 a month for the group.
Cuepacs also wanted the government to review the civil service permanent allowance for the lowest grade, which is RM95 per month at present, to a minimum of RM180 per month, besides considering giving annual increments to all civil servants twice yearly, and time-based promotions for those in the senior grades.
Azih said the first time-based promotion should be reduced from 13 to 10 years, while the second should occur eight years thereafter.
To ensure civil servants enjoy facilities from the various types of taxes paid, Cuepacs recommended higher individual tax rebates, ranging from RM9,000 to RM18,000, rebates for wife and children from RM4,000 to RM9,000, as well as rebates for children under 18 to be extended to 21, from RM2,000 to RM4,000.
Other recommendations included providing relief of up to RM5,000 for parents’ welfare, raising parents’ medical costs from RM5,000 to RM9,000, and life insurance purchase to be increased from RM6,000 to RM10,000.
Meanwhile, Azih said permanent housing remained a key issue as many civil servants still could not afford to own houses, despite the government having introduced the 1Malaysia Civil Servants Housing (PPA1M) and 1Malaysia People’s Housing (PR1MA) programmes.
"As such, Cuepacs proposes that the loan interest rates from the Public Sector Housing Board be reduced from four percent to only one percent,” he said, adding that Cuepacs also called for the government to allocate housing to civil servants earning RM3,000 and below by building houses priced at RM90,000 to RM150,000.
He said Cuepacs also recommended that all civil servants be given protection under the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to replace the ex-gratia scheme under the Finance Ministry.
The memorandum of claim was sent to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in early August.
“We understand it is being considered and hopefully all these claims can be met in the budget this time for the well-being of civil servants in the country.
"Cuepacs is confident the government will never forget these civil servants and always ensure the needs of these groups are met," he added.
- Bernama