Expenditure to double if govt assists private sector staff

THE expenditure of the government will double if it were to fund or provide assistance to the private sector employees and this issue should be taken into consideration particularly in terms of government financial capacity in the long run.

YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister’s Office, said this as he responded yesterday to a question raised by Legislative Council (LegCo) member YB Awang Haji Jumat bin Akim on Monday at the ongoing 10th LegCo meeting.

The issues raised were a proposal on government assistance for private sector employees, including living support allowance (Elaun Sara Hidup), special gift allowance (Elaun Kurnia Khas) and any convenience provided to government officers and staff to be extended to the private sector employees in order to attract more locals to work in the private sector.

“In looking into this recommendation, there are some private sector employees who are given better benefits and packages in comparison to public sector staff such as higher bonus rate, better overseas airfares and so on.

“This is a matter that should be taken into account if the government and private sectors are to be balanced in terms of benefits,” he added.

The minister also shared several regulations that have been implemented by the government which are also beneficial and enjoyed by the private sector employees in an effort to preserve their well-being.

Among the regulations stated by the minister were maternity leave where the government pays full salary for a period of five weeks after eight weeks of paid leave by their employers; educational allowance for courses at the tertiary level for active members of the Employees Provident Fund (TAP) including those who work in the private sector; and the establishment of the Supplementary Contributory Pension (SCP) scheme.

He also said that the government should not be solely burdened in attracting locals to work in the private sector. Employers in the private sector should also have the responsibility to assist the government in achieving the objective.

“Among others efforts should also be made by employers in offering attractive salary packages, enhancing a conducive working environment, providing appropriate facilities and others in order to reward the dedication and services of private sector staff,” he concluded.


Sumber - Borneo Bulletin Online