Civil servants to receive a 0.6-month year-end bonus

All civil servants will receive a year-end Annual Variable Component (AVC) of 0.6 months for 2023, announced by the Public Service Division (PSD) on 27 November 2023.

The Government will also pay civil servants in the Operations Support Scheme (OSS) or whose grades are equivalent to MX15 and MX16 an additional, one-time lump sum of $800.

Meanwhile, civil servants whose grades are equivalent to MX13(I) and MX14 will receive an additional, one-time lump sum of $400.

The PSD shared that the quantum was decided after close consultation with public sector unions, factoring in the recommendations by the National Wages Council (NWC) and considering Singapore’s expected Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 1.0 per cent for the year.

Civil Service AVC for 2023

Civil servants will receive an AVC of 0.9 months for 2023 – lower than the 1.45 months paid in 2022.

This year, officers up to grade MX13(I) and equivalent will receive an additional lump sum of up to $1,200.

In addition to the AVC, the Government will also be paying a Non-Pensionable Annual Allowance (NPAA) of 1.0 months to all civil servants.

Labour Movement Responds

NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Cham Hui Fong issued a statement appreciating the Government’s decision to recognise the efforts and contributions of civil servants for the year.

“The additional one-off lump sum payments for lower-grade officers in the civil service are much appreciated by the unions. This is especially so when the payments, which would benefit these officers more, are in line with the recommendations of the National Wages Council guidelines for 2023/24.

“Looking ahead, NTUC urges civil servants to continue to do their best in their areas of work to support their respective agencies and focus on reskilling and upskilling so that they can have better work prospects and remain employable,” she said.

Additionally, the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE) General Secretary Sanjeev Tiwari noted that the quantum is similar to years with poor economic growth as it was derived given slower economic growth and ongoing geopolitical challenges.

He said: “We believe the year-end AVC of 0.6 months and lump sums, coupled with the Assurance Package, will help defray some of the rising cost of living for our public officers. AUPE will continue to work with the Government in monitoring the situation and ensuring that our public officers will be adequately recognised for their good work.”