PUTRAJAYA – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it was about time public sector pay was evaluated and reviewed, especially for those in the lower grades.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, when addressing the Labour Day celebration here today, said he was aware that civil servants are not satisfied with the salaries offered in the public sector, especially those in the lower grades.
The prime minister said the government was carefully studying the demands put forward by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) and the Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (Cuepacs) concerning civil service salaries.
“To me, within a period of one year, if there is a positive increase in revenue, the top priority will be the salaries of civil servants. In the meantime, all bonus payouts and facilities like health and education that need to be assisted will be immediately done once there is an allocation,” he said.
During the Labour Day celebration, Anwar also announced an allocation of RM1 million each to both MTUC and Cuepacs to upgrade their administration.
Anwar said he would not want a strained relationship between unions and the government on matters related to workers’ demands and grievances.
The prime minister also urged the human resources minister and the ministry’s chief secretary to fully accommodate requests from MTUC and Cuepacs to hold discussions.
“Let there be discussions between the employers and workers. In the past there were ministers who refused to meet unions. I do not want such a situation in my administration,” he said.
Anwar said the government would also, from time to time, announce several changes in the pipeline aimed at improving worker’s quality of service and ability.
Meanwhile, Anwar said the government would also attend to problems faced by the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and settlers. – Bernama, May 1, 2023
