NTUC and the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE) welcomed the Public Service Division’s (PSD) move to give civil servants a 0.45-month mid-year annual variable component (AVC) payment.
In deciding on the quantum, PSD considered Singapore’s economic growth of 2.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2024 following the preceding quarter’s 2.2 per cent, and the downside risks remaining in the global economy.
It also referred to the Manpower Ministry's Labour Market Report for the first quarter of 2024, which showed total employment growth with unemployment rates staying low and within the non-recession range.
PSD announced the AVC payouts in a statement on 20 June 2024.
The 0.45-month mid-year bonus is 50 per cent higher than 2023’s 0.3-month payout.
NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Cham Hui Fong and AUPE General Secretary Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari said they considered Singapore’s economic and labour performance in their negotiations with PSD.
“Given this year’s positive economic growth and despite the uncertainties ahead, the Government’s mid-year AVC payout of 0.45 month is appropriate and acknowledges their efforts,” Ms Cham said.
Mr Sanjeev added that AUPE “appreciates the Government’s decision to provide a mid-year AVC payout of 0.45 month for civil servants, which surpasses the previous year’s mid-year payout.”
PSD said that civil servants in the MX13(I) and MX14 grades will receive an additional $150. An additional $250 will also be provided to those in the MX15 and MX16 grades and the Operations Support Scheme (OSS) Grades III and IV.
NTUC and AUPE said the additional support for lower-income officers is a progressive move towards helping them with the cost of living.
In the meantime, they urged all civil servants to continue focusing on upgrading and doing their jobs well.
“Moving forward, NTUC encourages civil servants to continue upskilling and upgrading to stay relevant, competitive, and employable in the face of future challenges,” Ms Cham said.
Mr Sanjeev added: “We will continue to monitor the economic situation closely and hope that our civil servants will continue to focus on doing well and doing good.
“On our part, we will continue working with the Government to provide greater recognition for our officers.”
