23,000 public service officers getting 5-14% pay rise, Netizens share their thoughts on who should receive salary adjustments

The Public Service Division (PSD) announced on Sunday (June 5) that about 23,000 civil servants will receive between a 5 and 14 per cent increase in their salaries beginning August 1 this year. Civil servants in generic schemes and their related schemes are included in the salary adjustments, “enabling the Civil Service to continue to attract and retain its fair share of talent,” said PSD.

The last review of salaries for generic schemes was in 2014 when those in non-graduate schemes got a five per cent increase. Since then, salary levels in the market have gone up. “The Civil Service periodically reviews salaries and adjusts them when necessary to broadly keep pace with, but not lead, the market,” said PSD in a media release.

Officers in the management executive scheme, management support scheme and corporate support scheme will receive between five and 10 per cent salary adjustments; those with larger gaps than the market benchmark will receive higher raises.

These schemes include those in policymaking, administration and line operations, as well as staff in the civil service and statutory boards.

Officers in operations support schemes will receive pay raises between six and 14 per cent, reported Today.

“The pandemic has underscored the importance of a strong Public Service. The Public Service is committed to attracting, developing and retaining a future-ready workforce that can continue to deliver its best for Singapore and Singaporeans,” said PSD.

Members from the online community became specific in their comments on who should receive the salary adjustments.

“Should increase more for frontline workers doing long shifts and actual work,” said Facebook user Anton Chia. “Those (who) sit inside office cc email here and there, lunch break plus coffee break a lot de, can cut back some more,” he added.

“I wonder if teachers who bore the brunt of Covid-19 work beyond the medical sector would see any of these adjustments,” said Facebook user Huiling Lin.

Meanwhile, Facebook user Ann Lim and Rosalind Teo listed out those who “don’t deserve” the adjustments. /TISG

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