Cuepacs Rejects Proposed Contributory Pension System.

The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) Thursday rejected the proposed contributory pension system to replace the existing derivative system enjoyed by government employees. Cuepacs felt that the existing system was better as it was regarded as appreciation from the government while the new system required employees to contribute from their own savings.

This is what eventually happens when you have uncontrolled enrolment or recruitment into any organization or body and the civil service is no exception. The popular decisions taken in the early eighties to isi penuh the vacancies in the public services would start biting soon and it is in anticipation of this deluge and the heavy burden it will place on the national budget that has prompted this move by the government. The civil service over the years has in a way become a dumping ground for excess, unemployable graduates; a populist measure to overcome another populist decision to accept every Tom, Dick and Khairy in to the varsities. We are reaping what this government has been sowing for thirty years.

Nordin also asked the government to consider reviving the Public Service Tribunal that was abolished in 1992. The court was abolished without any reason when the New Remuneration System (SSB) was implemented. What we require now is a neutral body that can receive the views of certain parties. The pension issue, for example, can be raised with this tribunal.

Quite impossible I would think. If every government decision on its employees can be questioned and arbitered by an external body, the government will find it difficult to make 'inconvenient' rules and amendments.

Cuepacs called on the government to consider providing the cost-of-living-allowance (cola) also to employees living in government quarters and those working in Sabah and Sarawak.

I agree that this is a reasonable request and is well within the government's capacity to fund.

He also said that Cuepacs asked the government to consider paying two months' bonus this year to its employees.

Now, now Cuepacs, even you in your heart of heart know that you don't even deserve one month, let alone two months' bonus. Of course it is a smart move to pretend asking for two in the hope at least one month will be approved.

Finally I must add that unlike some so-called advanced democracies in Asia and elsewhere, our civil service and their leaders must be commended for never rocking the boat or attempting to destabilize the nation by encouraging violence or participating in unnecessary strikes. Kudos. Hope you get your one months' bonus!