Pampering high-level officials<\/p>\n
Civil servants will be on the march. This is the threat they
\nhave made, as reported by several newspapers. The reason is that
\nextra allowances for high-level government officials, whose basic
\nsalaries are already considered high, will be raised by as much
\nas 12 times the current rate.<\/p>\n
What irks lower-level civil servants is the fact that the
\ngovernment appears to be pampering high-level officials too much.
\nThe fact is that apart from their comfortable salaries, these
\nofficials also enjoy fringe benefits such as free housing, cars
\nand drivers, telephones and electricity. It can be said with near
\ncertainty that their telephone and electricity bills alone are
\nalmost equal to the monthly salaries of lower-level officials.<\/p>\n
One is justified in lamenting the unfeeling disposition of
\nthose who are in charge of determining government salaries and
\nallowances. Unfortunately, all that is water under the bridge.
\nThe decision has been made. All of the objections of the public
\nhave been disregarded.<\/p>\n
The time has now come for the government to reap what it has
\nsown. As the seeds that were sown were bad in the public's view,
\nthe harvest too -- in the form of protests from the public and
\nordinary civil servants -- will not be pleasing for the
\ngovernment. It is ironic indeed that at a time when people are
\ncalled on to save and be frugal, high-ranking officials enjoy
\never higher earnings.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pampering-high-level-officials-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }