PUTRAJAYA: Civil servants are hoping to get a one-month bonus in Budget 2009 that they had enjoyed for several years until it was stopped last year.
This is despite knowing that their salary had been substantially increased last year.
Describing even RM500 as “better than nothing,” chief clerk at the Finance Ministry P. Devi Saraswathi said:
“This time it would be most helpful because the cost of living has increased tremendously. The increase in fuel prices is really burdensome,” she said, adding that she had cut back on family outings.
She, however, said she was not worse off than many other civil servants, who had to take part-time jobs as her husband worked in the private sector.
First-time mother Norini Rapa, 27, an administrative assistant at the Prime Minister’s Department, said the bonus would help in paying for a baby-sitter.
“I have to fork out about RM280 for private nurseries in Putrajaya which is rather high for my salary,” she said, suggesting that the Government set up more nurseries for civil servants.
Norini hoped that there was truth to rumours that the cost of living allowance (Cola) would be increased from RM300 to RM500 under Budget 2009.
“Although there was a circular in June allowing staff to open up part-time businesses with loan provided, there are not many takers in my department,” she said.
No comments:
Post a Comment