PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim said it is about time the government reviews civil servants’ wages, especially the pay of those at lower grades.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said at the 2023 Labour Day celebration in Putrajaya today that he is aware there are civil servants who are dissatisfied with their wages.

The prime minister said the government is carefully studying demands by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) and the Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (Cuepacs) concerning the wages of civil servants.

“Within one year, if there is a positive increase in revenue, the top priority will be the salaries of civil servants,” he said.

During the Labour Day celebration, Anwar announced an allocation of RM1 million each to both MTUC and Cuepacs.

Anwar said he does not want the relationship between workers’ unions and the government to be strained over matters related to workers’ demands and grievances.

The prime minister also urged the human resources minister and chief secretary to fully accommodate requests from the MTUC and Cuepacs to hold discussions.

“Let there be discussions between the employers and workers. In the past, there were ministers who refused to meet unions. I do not want such a situation in my administration,” he said.

Anwar said the government will announce several changes in the pipeline aimed at improving the quality of service and ability of workers.

He said the government will look into problems faced by Felda and its settlers to ensure no one is left behind. – Bernama, May 1, 2023.