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By Ian Tan Hanhonn
After close consultation with public sector unions, the Government has decided to pay all civil servants a year-end Annual Variable Component (AVC) of 1.1 months.
Additionally, civil servants with a grade equivalent to MX15 or below will receive an additional payment of $700.
The Public Service Division made the announcements on 24 November 2022.
With this year-end AVC, the total variable bonus for civil servants in 2022 comes to 1.45 months, with junior-grade officers getting an additional one-off of $1,100 for the year.
The Government will also continue to pay the Non-Pensionable Annual Allowance (NPAA) of 1 month to all civil servants.
The Government said that the year-end payments recognise all public officers’ contributions and hard work while considering the economic outlook.
Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE) General Secretary Sanjeev Tiwari said that the union appreciates that the Government has decided to accept its bonus proposal.
He said: “The year-end AVC is a fair payment in recognition of the good work of our officers while progressive in ensuring our lower-income officers are able to cope with the effects of inflation and rising costs of living.
“As the economic outlook remains uncertain, we are happy with the Government’s recognition of the sustained hard work and contributions of our civil servants. AUPE remains committed to our civil servants being relevant and contributing effectively.”
Meanwhile, NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Cham Hui Fong shared that the additional lump sum signifies the Government’s progressive support towards lower-grade officers.
Given the looming uncertainties ahead, she hopes employers and employees will continue to upskill and upgrade themselves to stay relevant and competitive.
“We call on the private sector companies to do the same in appreciating and taking care of their employees this year-end,” she said.