PART-TIME WORK IN CIVIL SERVICE (Scheme for married women)

Dr Ang Kok Peng asked the Minister for Finance how successful has been the scheme to encourage non-working married women to work part-time in the Civil Service, and what are the jobs performed by the majority of these pan-time workers.

The Minister for Finance (Mr Hon Sui Sen): Mr Speaker, Sir, the scheme to attract married women to work part-time in the Civil Service was introduced in January 1981. It attracted only 19 part-time workers. The scheme did not meet with good response mainly because of the rigid requirement that a part-time worker had to put in a minimum of 21 working hours and five days per week and the fact that a part-time worker was paid only half the salary of a full-time worker. The scheme was also restricted to only 31 grades of appointment. In July, 1982, an improved scheme with more attractive terms was introduced. Under the new scheme working hours are flexible, to be determined between the part-time worker and the employing Ministry. Wages are also higher under the new scheme because the hourly rates of payment have been enhanced to compensate for the lack of leave and medical benefits.

Although the scheme has not attracted as many part-time workers as we would like, it is encouraging to note that the number of part-time workers has increased from 11 in August 1982 (including nine who were converted from the old scheme) to 78 in January 1983.

The majority, about 80%, of the part-time workers are employed as clerks, The rest are employed as typists, executive officers, research officers and technicians.