PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced a more than 13 per cent increase in civil servants' remuneration, among the highest in Malaysia's history.
The increase will be effective Dec 1 this year.
The last time the civil servants' salaries were revised was 12 years ago, and the highest increase in the past was at 13 per cent.
"This increase will cost the government more than RM10 billion. The amount is big, and this is a decent increase, and among the best in history... it is because of the Madani government."
The prime minister said in his mandate during the Labour Day celebration in Putrajaya International Convention Centre here, today.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, also announced that the overall minimum pay for civil servants must reach more than RM2,000.
"Currently, the overall minimum pay which includes their salary and fixed allowance is RM1,795 per month.
"I agree, that this is unreasonable. Under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), the government willl increase the salary to ensure that the minimum pay for civil servants will exceed RM2,000 per month."
Anwar said the governments of Sabah and Sarawak had agreed to make amendments to their ordinances, to match the Employment Act 1955 which is applicable in Peninsular Malaysia.
The bill to amend the Sabah Labour Ordinance and Sarawak Labour Ordinance would be tabled in the next parliamentary session.
Meanwhile, Anwar said workers must be treated humanely and not as "semi-slaves".
"Because of unbridled capitalism, there are companies who only think about their profits and not about humanity, or the environment. Workers are being oppressed and treated like semi-slaves.
"That is why this day (Labour Day) is important. It is a day where employees fight for their rights, and it is because of this that we see the establishment of trade unions who become effective spokespeople to defend the rights of workers.
"If you talk about the Madani concept, you are talking about courtesy, humanity. We believe that all people, whether cleaners, clerks, cooks, are all equally important to generate economic growth," he added.
Anwar also urged workers to stand up against any party who tried to undermine or degrade anyone.
He said acts such as insulting race and religion, or denying the rights of anyone, should not be tolerated at all.
"I ask for your understanding. If there is anyone out there who tries to pit us against each other, or degrade anyone, rise up and fight with all your might.
"This (our harmony) is our strength. The people of Malaysia have to be recognised as a nation that understands and respects one another."
Present at the national-level Labour Day celebration were Anwar's deputies, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim and other cabinet members.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services president Datuk Seri Dr Adnan Mat, and Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman.