KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Medical Services Union (SMSU) expressed concern on the abolition of critical allowance (BIPK) for civil servants appointed from Jan 1.
SMSU president Ajulahin Japin, in a statement, said several members who would be affected by the government's move had started voicing out their dissatisfaction.
"We hope this will open up room for the Public Service Department (PSD) to rediscuss the matter with the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs).
"SMSU has 8,000 members of various posts under the state health department. We will continue working with Cuepacs to find the best solution for our public sector members who are affected by PSD's decision," he said today.
Ajulahin, who is Sabah Cuepacs secretary, also expressed hope that the government would review regional housing allowance as there wass still a gap in the allowance rates between the Peninsula, Sabah, and Sarawak.
He noted such a matter has long been brought up to the government via the various platforms, stressing it needs to be reviewed along with other allowances stated in the Public Service Circular No 10 of 2019.
The decision to end the critical allowance was announced in a PSD circular on Dec 20. The cut would affect government doctors, nurses, engineers and other professionals joining public service starting Jan 1, 2020.
On Dec 25, Cuepacs president Adnan Mat described the government's move as a step backward and expressed disappointment that there was no negotiation made with Cuepacs.
Pointing out the high cost of living, Adnan had said BIPK for new civil services appointees should be retained and urging the government to reconsider its decision.
Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman expressed disagreement over PSD's decision, noting the government should instead review allowances given to ministers and politicians.
In a video posted on Twitter, he said medical practitioners and those in critical services were heavily overworked and underpaid, stressing the new circular would have affect many youths in the public sector.
Syed Saddiq said he had reduced 10 per cent of his salary until the problem was resolved.
Yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry would hold a meeting with PSD soon, noting the BIPK should be brought up to the Cabinet again.
He had instructed his deputy Dr Lee Boon Chye, the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Chen Chaw Min and Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah to represent the ministry in the meeting.