KUCHING, September 24: The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) Sarawak is urging for the civil servants’ Cost-Of-Living Allowance (COLA) to be increasedby RM50.00 a month for East Malaysia states.
Sarawak CUEPACS’ chairman, Omar Bahrein Unin said the matter should be included in Malaysia’s 2022 Budget as a resolution to address the rising cost of living in Sabah and Sarawak
“Civil servants in Sarawak only receive regional allowance which is inclusive of existing allowance but do not enjoy increments like their counterparts in West Malaysia since January 2020.
“I hope the authority will review the six stages of allowance percentage for civil servants in Sabah and Sarawak which has not been updated or reviewed since it was implemented in 1988,” said Omar in a press statement.
He also called for an allowance specifically made for those who need vision aid for work, considering its increasing costs every year, posing a burden on civil servants.
Omar also requested the authority to implement the policies it previously announced in East Malaysia such as yearly increment for all civil servants, establishing the DG56 grade for teachers and a time-based promotion among others.
“CUEPACS understands the financial burden experienced by the current government due to the pandemic. However, many of these civil servants are from the B40 and M40 category.
“This proposed review, especially on COLA will help them (B40 and M40) in the long run whilst strengthening purchasing power of civil servants,” remarked Omar.
