COMMISSION ON PARLIAMENT STAFF

COMMISSION ON PARLIAMENT STAFF:

(Motion): 6.34 pm

The Leader of the House (Mr Mah Bow Tan): Mdm Deputy Speaker, I beg to move,

That this Parliament, noting the Report of the Commission on Parliament Staff as contained in Paper Misc 5 of 2007, accepts the recommendations of the Commission as contained in paragraph 7 thereof and resolves in accordance with such recommendations.

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Madam, in accordance with Article 51(6) of the Constitution, a Commission consisting of the Speaker, the Minister for Defence and Minister-in-charge of the Civil Service, the Second Minister for Finance, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission and myself was set up to consider proposals for salary revisions to the schemes of service of the Parliamentary Service arising from the Civil Service pay revisions announced on 25th October 2007.

The Commission has presented its Report to Parliament on 30th October 2007. The Commission considered the revisions made to the Civil Service's Management Executive Scheme, which will introduce a salary structure that is more responsive to market wage movements and performance-based adjustments with effect from 1st January 2008. As announced by the Public Service Division, these revisions include an increase of up to 6% to the base monthly salary for eligible officers, a market-based merit increment framework, a new Growth Bonus and increased performance bonus rates that will better recognise and reward outstanding performance. The performance bonus rates for good performers will increase by up to one month while that for better performers will increase by up to 2.75 months. There will also be a High Potential Programme put in place which will provide more training and developmental opportunities and incentive payments to retain high potential officers.

In respect of the staff of Parliament, since 2003, the existing Parliamentary Scheme and the Language Executive Scheme (Parliament) had adopted a salary and performance-based framework similar to the Management Executive Scheme in the Civil Service. Following the revisions for the Civil Service, the Commission recommends that a new Parliamentary Scheme (2008) and Language Executive Scheme (Parliament) (2008) be adopted,

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following the new Management Executive Scheme, with effect from 1st January 2008.

The recommendation of the Commission has received the support of the Public Service Division and is contained in paragraph 7 of its Report to Parliament. Madam, I ask the House to accept and approve the recommendation of the Commission.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament, noting the Report of the Commission on Parliament Staff as

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contained in Paper Misc 5 of 2007, accepts the recommendations of the Commission as contained in paragraph 7 thereof and resolves in accordance with such recommendations.