CIVIL SERVANTS ON CO-PAYMENT ON WARD CHARGES SCHEME (Formula for salary revision)

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Minister for Finance if he will state what is the formula for salary revision for those civil servants who want to stay on the Co-payment on Ward Charges (CPW) scheme of the medical benefits package before they are asked to sign the option form.

Cdre Teo Chee Hean (for the Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Service Division will be tracking the costs of medical subsidies to officers on the Co-Payment on Ward Charges (CPW) Scheme and those on the Comprehensive Co-Payment Scheme (CCS). This, together with the actual magnitude of the salary adjustment for each group of officers in the next revision, will be used to determine the differential salary gain between civil servants on the CPW and the CCS.

It is thus not possible to state a formula at this juncture. I can, however, assure all civil servants that it will be fair and equitable to those on the CPW as well as those on the CCS.

Dr Kanwaljit Soin: Sir, would the Minister agree that it would be difficult to make an informed decision without some indication, whether it is going to be half on the co-payment charges or one-quarter of the salary revision, so that the civil servant could have a better idea of which system to opt for?

Cdre Teo Chee Hean: Sir, the future salary revision will be made on a fair and equitable basis depending on the actual magnitude of the salary adjustment at that point in time and the way the health care costs develop.