NTUC, civil service unions support one-off payment by govt
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 26 November 2009 1811 hrs

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	Related News • Modest year-end payment for civil servants

SINGAPORE: Singapore's labour movement and its eight affiliated civil service unions support the government's decision to give a one-off year-end payment of 0.25 month, capped at S$750, to civil servants.

The National Trades Union Congress' (NTUC) deputy secretary general, Halimah Yacob, said on Thursday that the annual variable component (AVC) is tied to Singapore's economic performance, and growth for the year is expected to be negative.

The one-off payment is in line with the advisory by the tripartite partners and is given to acknowledge employees in the civil service for their hard work and sacrifices made during the economic downturn.

Madam Halimah added that it will provide some relief, particularly to the rank-and-file workers, as civil servants have endured lower annual salaries for 2009.

Moving ahead, she stressed that the labour movement will continue to work closely with the tripartite partners to focus on enhancing workers' capabilities and improving productivity in the public sector.


- CNA/so