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SINGAPORE: Civil servants will get a mid-year bonus of 0.5 month, plus between S$100 and S$300 in July.
The announcement came against a backdrop of Singapore's continued economic growth, which the government has projected at between 4 percent and 6 percent this year.
The economy grew by 6.7 percent in the first quarter of 2008, compared to 5.4 percent in the last quarter of 2007.
Besides the 0.5-month mid-year bonus, officers in the lower divisions - Division III and IV - will receive S$250 and S$300 respectively, while Division I and II officers will receive S$100.
The mid-year payment - with higher amounts of S$250 to S$300 for officers in the lower divisions - has taken into consideration the National Wages Council's call to give a one-off special payment to help rank-and-file workers, particularly low wage workers, better cope with the impact of inflation this year.
The government will decide on the year-end bonus for civil servants when Singapore's economic performance in the second half of 2008 is clearer.
Separately, the NTUC has said it is pleased with the civil service mid-year payment and hopes the private sector will take the cue to also reward workers.
It said the higher quantum for lower-wage workers will encourage them to perform even better, since it forms a larger percentage of their wages.
The NTUC said the mid-year payment was decided after close consultation between the civil service unions and the Public Service Division (PSD).
- CNA/ir
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