I was reading the forum on Saturday and find this particular contribution “civil servants should be seen to earn their bonus” by Miss Lee Soon Chin very amusing and entertaining. She was asking if all civil servants are paid the same three months plus $220 for good performers and 3.3 months plus $220 for better performers. What criteria did the civil service used to distinguish “not so good” performers from the “good” and “better” ones?

I was actually expecting this from the private sector. After all it was announced that the private sector was not going to use the government bonus as benchmark this year. Thus a majority of Singaporean might not be getting a big fat bonus this year even though the economy growth was better than last year. Did it sparked off some envy and jealousy? You be the judge yourself.

So I came up with my own 3 reasons why civil servants did not deserve the 2 months bonus.

• Public funds are wasted with the redundant enhancement of security during IMF meetings. Not to mention the security checks on MRT and Changi Airport.
• Instead of having to start work at 8am and ends at 6pm, they have two shift of civil servants working round the clock. Waste of public funds again.
• Last but not least we don’t see the private sector paying bonus in March, July and December. So why should civil service be getting any?

What other possible reasons could you think of? Let’s share.