SINGAPORE: Singapore's 77,000 civil servants will
get a year-end Annual Variable Component (AVC) of 0.7
month.
Lower-wage officers will get an AVC of at least
S$1,000, signalling the government's continued commitment to help
low-wage workers.
The Public Service Division in the Prime Minister's
Office announced the bonus in a statement on Thursday.
The statement said the bonus amount was decided against the
backdrop of a "more subdued global economic outlook".
It said: "Singapore's economic growth is expected to remain subdued
for the rest of 2012, with the economy expected to grow by around
1.5%.
"The electronics manufacturing cluster would continue to be weighed
down by tepid external demand. On the other hand, expansion in the
construction sector could provide modest growth support to the
overall economy.
"In addition, growth may be slightly lower than forecast if the
weakness in the externally-oriented sectors persists into the final
quarter of 2012."
The year-end AVC payment was decided in consultation with the
unions.
Some 2,000 civil servants earning less than S$1,430 will benefit
from the minimum AVC payment of S$1,000. For example, an officer
drawing a monthly salary of S$1,200 will get a year-end AVC of
S$1,000, instead of S$840 based on 0.7 month of his salary.
About 96% of these 2,000 civil servants are Division IV
officers.
All civil servants will also get the Non-Pensionable Annual
Allowance (NPAA) of one month, to be paid in December along with
the AVC.
Last year, civil servants got a 0.75-month year-end AVC.
- CNA/ir