KUCHING, June 2: Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) welcomes the announcement that civil servants from almost all grades will contribute a portion of their allowance for three months to the National Disaster Relief Trust Fund.
STU president Adam Parkash pointed out that in fact, teachers have made contributions when implementing home-based learning and teaching (PdPR) such as by paying own Internet data, purchasing gadgets for underprivileged students as well as materials to assist in teaching.
“But the collective contribution is a sign of solidarity among civil servants in supporting the government’s efforts in fighting and overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic.
“STU members also understand that allowance is a privilege given by the government, apart from salary for civil servants and that the government has the right to request for such contribution at any time,” he said in a statement issued yesterday.
Adam hopes all teachers will continue to deliver excellent service in these challenging and trying times and that the small contribution from educators will bring benefits to more Malaysians.
“I urged teachers to take care of their health and safety always,” he reminded.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, in a statement yesterday, emphasised that the allowance deduction was in line with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s Permekasa Plus announcement Monday night, where the premier and Cabinet ministers will not be receiving their monthly salaries for three months from this month.
He added that the contributions from over 800,000 civil servants, excluding frontliners and those in Grades 1 to 28, are estimated to amount to more than RM30 million.
The deductions from the fixed entertainment allowance (ITK) will be 50 per cent for those in the highest Jusa A, 20 per cent for those in Jusa B, 10 per cent from those in Jusa C, and 5 per cent for those from Grades 56 to 44.
For those in Grades 41 to 29, RM10 will be deducted from their public service fixed allowance (ITKA).— DayakDaily
