CIVIL SERVICE REDUCED VACATION AND MEDICAL LEAVE (Review of monetary compensation)

Haji Sha'ari bin Tadin asked the Minister for Finance whether he will consider reviewing the monetary compensation for the reduction in vacation and medical leave.

The Senior Minister of State for Finance (Mr Goh Chok Tong) (for the Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, as Question No. 9 and Question No. 10 are related, could I have your permission to take the two Questions together?

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Mr Goh Chok Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, Members will recall that the late Member for Anson, Mr P. Govindaswamy, asked a similar question when the NWC wage increases were consolidated into basic salaries. I explained at that time that to revise leave allowances would be to leave the matter open for all time and so place an onerous burden on public funds.

However, views of serving officers and choice of leave options of new recruits have led me to believe that our present leave scheme is not entirely satisfactory. Our experience since implementing the 1973 Leave Scheme shows that some revision will improve the Scheme. This is being considered and it will take some time to finalise.

Mr Ho See Beng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State for Finance this question. If a senior officer, whose compensation is, say, $150 for a period of 19 days, wishes to take unpaid leave for the same number of days, can he reimburse the Government with the same amount of compensation, that is, $150?

Mr Goh Chok Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is no. The matter has been spelt out clearly in the option given to the officer serving at that time. Once he makes his option, it is irrevocable. But, as I explained just now, the matter is under review and it will take one to two months to finalise an improved leave scheme for the civil service.

Mr Ho See Beng: Sir, I am asking a different question altogether. What I mean is whether the officer's pay will be cut by $150 if he takes 19 days' unpaid leave, since he has been compensated $150 for 19 days.

Mr Goh Chok Tong: I thought I have answered the Member's question in the first part. The answer is no.