SENIOR civil servants can expect their annual pay package to shrink next year, because a significant portion of it is tied to how well the economy is doin

It is a big joke. How can the govt tie a significant portion of these senior civil servants according to the performance of the economy? Is the govt controlling the economy? Let the public know how much is significant. Senior civil servants or not their pay must commensurate with their qualification and ability. Some of the ministers and senior civil servants are long due to be kicked off. Cut cost by removing these "cari makan" personnel and not according to the economy.

Ms Xiaowei, pay-cut is to align to deflation. And is hinting private companies to do the same (or likely following the market rates)...this would bring down the overall cost of doing business so that Singapore can be competitive.

-1% is still a fall - how much does anyone really believe it should be, 10-20%?
No chance.

#2 - totally agree with you.

Some of these 'cari makan' fellow are actually 'dead wood'....year in and year out getting fat performance bonuses and special bonuses for getting the 'normal' job done.. During boom time, any 'normal' job performed by these guys are considered innovative as long as it brings in tons of $$$ for the gahmen! Now, in the current financial meltdown, these same guys are keeping mum - waiting for the mother of cari makan to open his/her mouth 1st...play safe, nothing will go wrong!

Also..... what happened to our ministers' pay?

If I’m not wrong this GDP bonus is on top of Performance bonus and the 13 month, meaning in good times the civil servant gets 3 to 8 months (according to ST report) more than most of us who gets only the 13 month and Performance Bonus!

Now, they still likely to get 1 month GDP bonus on top of Performance Bonus and the 13 month. That to most of us is still better than just having a 13 month plus smaller size Performance bonus depending on company ability to pay us.
It will be lucky if we could keep our job!

I really don’t see what so big deal! They are already getting more bonus than most of us and their pay structures or starting pay are no where lower than the market pay if not higher as specially in good times.

Please correct me if I’m wrong, having left civil service for some times

they will still receive salary increments and bonus, just that not as good as last year's.

Dead wood like WKS must be fed to the incinerator.

#9, GeylangRose, I am afraid there's no incinerator big enough to feed all the deadwood.