Can somebody scrutinize this document with me?
63. But for now, in the first step, we will increase the annual salaries for MR4 grades and above, by an average of 25%. The percentage increase will range from 33% at MR4 decreasing to 14% at the higher grades. The annual salary at MR4 will be increased from $1.2 million to $1.6 million. This will bring the MR4 salary to 73% of the benchmark, fairly close to the 77% of benchmark we want to be at the end of this year.
…
66. First, the Car Allowance. This is a legacy payment from the time when the Civil Service stopped providing senior officers with an official car. The Car Allowance is currently 2.5 times the monthly salary of the officer. This is not market practice. Typically, private sector companies pay car or transport allowance at a flat rate.
That means, if previously an MR4 earned $1.2M a year, his car allowance was $250K? Wow!
And your Car Allowance was not to be pegged to the market rate for cars, but your own salary! Wow!
But of course, better cars make you think better. Right?
71. Third, in line with our philosophy of paying for performance, we will increase the Performance Bonus by 2 months for officers at this level, to a norm of 7 months.
7 months performance bonus? Wow!
87. The pay revisions outlined above are to ensure that we continue to have a good public service for the future. We should, however, not forget those who have laboured hard to lay the strong foundation for us. One group comprises the former office holders and MPs who were elected between 1959 and 1980 and retired before Dec 1992 and are now drawing a pension. They were among the first generation of leaders who toiled during the early years of independent Singapore and did not have a chance to enjoy the fruits of their labour. Another group is the civil service pensioners who worked with the Government during the turbulent times of the 1950s and 1960s and who retired before Jan 1982. These pensioners served at a time where civil service pay was lagging well behind the private sector. Some did not enjoy the benefits of employers’ CPF contribution while others did not have their wage increase consolidated into their pensionable salaries. We would like to acknowledge these early pioneers and their dedicated service, even as the civil service adjusts its pay level for the current batch of officers.
Hmm… *who* retired before 1982? Hmm…
11. Ministers are not in guaranteed long-term jobs. They serve at the pleasure of the Prime Minister, and like all MPs face the general elections every five years. Similarly, our top civil servants are put on fixed term appointment once they are appointed to top positions.
Aww… poor Ministers and MPs, who face the *risk* of losing their jobs every *five* years.
[Link spotted from Who is PERC?]
