CUEPACS WANTS GRADE FOR TECHNICAL AND AGRICULTURE GROUP TO BE MAINTAINED UNDER SSM

My SinChew
10/3/2012


KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) wants the grades of about 70,000 civil servants in the technical, science and agriculture groups which have been upgraded under the Public Service Remuneration Scheme (SBPA) to be maintained, although implementation of the scheme has been cancelled.

Its president, Datuk Omar Osman, said this was because the request for grade movement for the group, involving technician, agriculture assistant, veterinary assistant and forestry assistant ranger, was made about 15 years ago, but only implemented after SBPA was introduced.

He said that under the Malaysian Remuneration Scheme (SSM) the post of a technician was Grade J17, while the agriculture assistant and forestry ranger was G17.

Under the SBPA, the technician post was upgraded to Grade J27, while agriculture assistant and forestry ranger to G27, he told reporters after chairing Cuepacs' special meeting here today.

Omar said Cuepacs would bring up the matter with the Chief Secretary to the Government at a meeting scheduled next week.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the cancellation of the SBPA and reverted to an improved SSM.

Earlier, an affiliate of Cuepacs, the Malaysian Technical Services Union (MTSU) objected to the cancellation of SBPA.

Its secretary-general, Samuel Devadasan, said it had been Cuepacs' stand to abolish SSM and create a better salary system in the public sector.

"MTSU is disappointed when SBPA is cancelled, while SSM is retained with some improvements," he said.