1 The Public Service Division (PSD) at the Prime Minister’s Office has announced the Civil Service Year-End Payment for 2010, whereby civil servants will receive a total year-end variable payment amounting to two months which comprises the Annual Variable Component (AVC) of one month and the 13th month payment of one month.
2 The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and our eight affiliated civil service unions1 welcome this announcement by the Government to reward all civil servants for their hard work and contributions to Singapore’s stellar economic performance in 2010. There was no AVC in 2009. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has forecast Singapore’s 2010 GDP growth to be around 15%.
3 In addition, NTUC is pleased that a Special Variable Payment (SVP) will be paid to eligible civil servants in March 2011. Good performers will receive one month of SVP.
4 The total variable payment for 2010 and the SVP will definitely bring cheer to all civil servants as due to the economic downturn in 2009, they too suffered a reduction in their total annual take home pay.
5 This year’s Civil Service Year-End Payment has been concluded after close consultation and negotiations between representatives from NTUC and the civil service unions with PSD. I am indeed most gratified that the Government has taken into consideration the strong representation that we had made on behalf of the civil servants and has recognise their contributions. The higher bonus payment this year also shows that the Variable Payment Scheme works well in the civil service, as workers are paid lower during bad times but are fairly rewarded during good times. This will certainly help to build stronger trust and confidence between the civil service and its employees, and will also help to boost morale.
6 The Labour Movement will continue to work closely with our Tripartite Partners to raise productivity and capabilities so that real wages can increase in a sustainable manner, and that inclusive growth can be achieved so that workers from all levels can share in the productivity gains.
Mdm Halimah Yacob
Deputy Secretary-General
National Trades Union Congress
