PUTRAJAYA: The government has performed well over the past year in terms of uplifting the welfare of civil servants, with several initiatives to upgrade their salaries.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa said among the improvements made were the introduction of the minimum-maximum wage structures which took effect in January this year, and the revision of several service schemes.
He said the civil service could expect more announcements on wage increases next month, and revised promotion scales at the end of the year.
Ali said the government had taken several approaches to bring the civil service closer to the people through six principles -- openness, ground work, engagement, human touch, private and non-governmental cooperation and unity.
They were the key concepts applied in the administration of the civil service.
He said this during his speech at the Prime Minister's Department's Excellent Service Award Presentation ceremony at Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.
Recipients of the awards were selected based on their integrity, skills and their contribution to the development and wellbeing of the community at large.
At the function, Ali was also feted for the first anniversary of his appointment as the 13th chief secretary to the government.
On the initiative for civil servants going down to the ground, Ali said the service's search and assist programme, which was recently launched, was a new approach to bring the government closer to the people.
He said this should be turned into a working culture.
"I practise the government's open door policy when dealing with civil servants and the public.
"I welcome feedback, views and suggestions," he said, adding that he hoped that the suggestions would be made through proper channels.
Ali also said that was why he had instructed secretaries-general, and agency and department heads to open Facebook and Twit-ter accounts as they were the mainstream communications mediums.
He also asked the department to use social networking sites courteously and responsibly, and also warned department staff from misusing and abusing them by spreading rumours and lies that would taint its image.
He cited the case of several civil servants in Wales, the United Kingdom, who were warned by their government after making inappropriate remarks about the nation's policies on the websites.
"The situation shows that governments in other countries take the abuse and misuse of the sites seriously."
He added that department leaders here had been tasked with monitoring the usage of the sites by their subordinates so that appropriate action could be taken against those who violated the service's code of conduct.
During a press conference, Ali said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would decide on bonus payments for civil servants after Cuepacs president Datuk Omar Osman requested at least a half-month bonus to be paid before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
"The government will decide on the matter when preparing next year's budget.
"The PM will make the decision," he added.
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