Some key requests yet to be considered, says Cuepacs Sarawak
SIBU: The Congress of Unions for Employees in Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) Sarawak has expressed its slight disappointment over the just-tabled Budget 2018.
Cuepacs Sarawak president Ahmad Malie said this was because the congress’ main demands such as increments in salaries and various allowances had yet to be considered by the government.
He added that there might be a possibility that the Central Cuepacs would appeal for the incentive on salary increase to become a key item up for reconsideration, given the issue of salary increments for civil servants had not been reviewed for a long time.
“Nonetheless, Cuepacs Sarawak is thankful because the incentives announced (under Budget 2018) are also part of the incentives that become the focus for Cuepacs.
“Among them are the special payment of RM1,500 to every civil servant and RM750 to every pensioner,” he told The Borneo Post when asked on Budget 2018.
Additionally, the second round of time-based incentive for the implementing group could also be considered as an incentive that would bring about long-term benefits, Ahmad said, adding that this would give opportunity to this group to enjoy grade promotions in their scheme, which would be higher.
This, he said, would also directly increase their respective salary rates, which would be taken into consideration should they retire in future.
Adding on, he said other incentives such as the increase in maternity leave, seven days unrecorded leave for ‘umrah’ (haj-like visit to Mecca and Medina), the increase in work schedule in stages, as well as accumulated leave of no more than 150 days taken during the last year of employment before retirement, should be received by civil servants ‘with a thankful heart’.
“At least, the incentives announced can be enjoyed within a certain period of time, although they cannot be enjoyed immediately,” Ahmad said.