Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Release of Latest Guidelines by National Wages Council and Impact on Recent Revision to Civil Servants' Salaries

Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Release of Latest Guidelines by National Wages Council and Impact on Recent Revision to Civil Servants' Salaries

Parliamentary Sitting: 9 Nov 2022

Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Prime Minister (a) whether the National Wage Council (NWC) has completed its review on the wage guidelines for the coming year; and (b) how will the Government work with the Public Service Commission to ensure that the wages of civil servants are consistent with the guidelines to be developed by the NWC.

Written Reply by Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education and Minister-in-charge of the Public Service.

The National Wages Council (NWC) has formulated its guidelines for 2022/2023, which are scheduled for release on 14 November 2022.

The Public Service Division (PSD) is the agency that oversees wages of civil servants, and is a member of the NWC. When determining salary adjustments and payments for the Civil Service, PSD takes reference from prevailing economic and labour market conditions and the NWC’s guidelines. In line with the NWC’s recommendations, annual variable payments for Civil Servants have been progressive, with officers in more junior grades generally receiving a higher payment as a proportion of their salaries.

PSD and the relevant agencies have also been working with the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE) on other strategies to uplift their wages sustainably, such as through job redesign and improving their skills.