Time to review civil servant salaries, says PM

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says it is about time to evaluate and review the salary of civil servants, especially those in the lower grades.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, when addressing the 2023 Labour Day celebration in Putrajaya yesterday, said he was aware that civil servants were not satisfied with their salaries, especially those in the lower grades.

The prime minister said the government was studying the demands put forth by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) and the Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (Cuepacs) concerning the salary of civil servants.

"To me, within a period of one year, if there is a positive increase in revenue, the top priority will be the salary of civil servants. In the meantime, for all bonus payouts and facilities like health and education that need to be assisted, it will be immediately done once there is an allocation," he said.

During the Labour Day celebration, Anwar also announced an allocation of RM1 million each to both MTUC and Cuepacs to upgrade their administration.

Anwar said he would not want a strained relationship between worker unions and the government on matters related to the demands and grievances faced by workers.

He also urged the human resources ministry and the ministry's chief secretary to fully accommodate requests for talks from MTUC and Cuepacs.

"Let there be discussions between the employers and workers. In the past, there were ministers who refused to meet unions. I do not want such a situation in my administration," he said.

Anwar said the government would also announce several changes aimed at improving the quality of service and ability of workers.

Meanwhile, Anwar said the government would also attend to problems faced by Felda and settlers, to ensure that no one is left behind.