What they say about civil servants' pay
What they say about civil servants' pay
JAKARTA (JP): The following are some comments about civil servants' pay.
Hamzah Haz, a senior legislator from the United Development Party: This will be the first time ever the government involves the House of Representatives in planning pay hikes. The move is strategic and democratic. The increase should be at least 10 percent so that civil servants and ABRI members can keep their present purchasing power.
Sri Edi Swasono, a bureaucrat: It is all good news because prices have substantially increased since the last time the wages of civil servants and ABRI members were raised. Let's see if House members really fight to have the salaries raised.
A.A. Baramuli, a legislator and businessman: We need a huge budget increase to raise the salaries of 4.5 million civil servants and soldiers.
A more effective way to improve bureaucracy would be to trim their numbers and reform their organizations. Their numbers can be cut to two-third or even a half. I am sure this is feasible. Those who lose their jobs under an early retirement scheme can be accommodated in state firms.
Analis Widodo, 29, a Jakarta civil servant: I am truly disappointed to hear that our pay hike is yet to be discussed. Our salary is so small. We, who live in cities like Jakarta, can barely make ends meet. Many civil servants have to moonlight often at the expense of their state duties. My monthly salary is Rp 131,000 and I earn over Rp 500,000 from my side jobs.
Ida, 37, a nurse at Jakarta's Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital and mother of two: I'm optimistic the government will raise our salaries as they usually do almost every year. My monthly Rp 352,000 basic salary is not enough to support my family. It's a good thing that my husband also has a job.
Kissin Wijaya, 48, a civil servant and father of seven who earns Rp 210,000 a month: I think salaries should be increased. It's up to the government to decide by how much it should be raised.
Edi Priyanto, 34, unmarried civil servant in Central Java: I hope the government will increase our salaries. Next year will be OK if this year's financial condition doesn't allow it. My Rp 130,000 monthly salary is just too small. I have to do small business to make ends meet.
Fatimah Achmad, senior legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party: The pay hike is important. But it is also important that the government control market prices. Any pay increase, no matter how large, will be meaningless if prices are going up. That is what has been happening all this time.
Oka Mahendra: A House member from the ruling Golkar party: Civil servants and ABRI members's welfare are often overlooked. The growing public demand for good service should be accompanied by better attention to their well-being. The financial problem that the government always use as an excuse not to raise their salary can be solved by improving efficiency and freezing new recruitment for a certain period.
Soerjadi, a deputy House Speaker: The government's plan to involve the House in the planning improvement of civil servants and ABRI members' welfare is something positive. It means that the government is beginning to listen to the House.
Any plan to raise salaries will always faces problems because prices will soar before the decision is announced. It is necessary to look for ways to solve this problem. Small salaries tempt employees to turn to corrupt practices. With adequate salaries, employees will not have to look for side jobs and neglect their work at their offices. (pwn/01/mds/rid/04/pan)