KUALA LUMPUR: The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public Service (Cuepacs) hopes that four proposed improvements concerning the new salary structure for civil servants can be implemented once the Public Service Remuneration System Study (SSPA) is finalised.

Its president, Datuk Dr Adnan Mat, said that they are looking into several issues concerning civil servants, particularly the minimum wage, grades, annual salary increments, and the lengthy promotion period, which need attention.

"In this regard, Cuepacs has proposed four main pillars in designing the new SSPA salary structure. Firstly, increasing the minimum wage of civil servants from RM1,200 to RM1,800. This proposal should be considered to ensure that civil servants can lead a slightly comfortable life in line with the current rising cost of living.

"Secondly, the service grades for all civil service schemes should commence at Grade 19 once the SSPA is finalised," he said in a statement today.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the decision to improve the new salary structure for civil servants would be announced at the May 1 Workers' Day gathering. This includes the government's commitment to increase the net income for civil servants through the SSPA.

He said that the matter is nearing finalisation and will be decided at the Cabinet meeting.

Adnan said Cuepac's third proposal concerns increasing the new annual salary increment to RM180, starting from the lowest grade. He added that currently, some service schemes receive annual salary increments below RM80, which does not help alleviate the current cost of living burden.

"Cuepacs also suggests that the government re-evaluate the promotion increments for time-based executive groups. We propose that the promotion from 13 years be reduced to 10 years for the first time, eight years for the second promotion, and six years for the third promotion.

"Currently, the government sets the promotion for executive groups for the first time after 13 years of service, and the second promotion is also implemented after the next 13 years," he said.

Adnan added that civil servants have to wait up to 26 years to enjoy promotion and salary increments.

He hopes that the government will change the formula from '13-13' to '10-8-6' to enable executive group civil servants to enjoy faster promotions.

Adnan said he believes that the Prime Minister has duly considered the SSPA study.

"The government is seen as highly committed to completing efforts to finalise the SSPA study as its progress exceeds the previously set time frame.

"Cuepacs has also concluded joint consultation sessions with the Public Service Department (PSD) for each service scheme. Representatives from each service scheme have presented all the requests to be considered in the relevant SSPA study and received positive feedback from the PSD," he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/1040551/cuepacs-hopes-government-realises-four-proposals-enhancing-civil