Cuepacs president Omar Osman said today that more than a quarter of Malaysia's 1.2 million civil servants are taking part-time jobs to make ends meet.

He said some 25% to 30% of civil servants were taking up extra jobs like being taxi drivers, security guards, factory workers and pub attendants because of low salaries.

"I have even heard of government servants taking night jobs in entertainment outlets as cashiers or greeters. Some work two to three jobs a day," he told reporters in Ipoh, according to Bernama.

Omar said the Klang Valley Taxi Drivers Association estimated that 10% of the 20,000 taxi drivers were civil servants.

Survey planned

Although Cuepacs has yet to carry out an official study on the number of civil servants taking part-time jobs, Omar said a survey was planned following salary revisions.

"If a civil servant is asked to do overtime, many are reluctant because they would rather take up part-time jobs. The pay would be better," he said.

Omar said he was confident of their chances for a salary revision following their meeting with the prime minister.