Civil Servants Go On Bonus Shopping Spree
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - Traffic jams were at their worst as civil servants who received their 13th month pay or bonuses continued their shopping spree during the final day of the Year End and Back to School Sale yesterday.

Ever since they received their bonuses and salaries last Thursday, all roads leading to the commercial establishments in and around the capital are jammed with vehicles.

Managers of commercial establishments wore big smiles over the last few days as they saw frantic buying by mainly civil servants.

Car workshop owners said new tyres were on the top of the shopping list of the civil servants who made purchases for their vehicles.

"They would have purchased second hand tyres at other times. But during this hamper time, they chose to buy new tyres," said a local workshop manager.

Civil servants also purchased stereo systems and other items for their vehicles.

"We earned roughly $10,000 a day since Thursday. This is four to five times more our normal daily earning," said another smiling manager.

The civil servants also purchased school materials, uniforms and shoes for their children. While civil servants were still ecstatic after receiving their 13th month pay, spare a thought for some workers in the private sector who did not receive such benefit this year.

"We used to receive bonuses in previous years but unfortunately we have not received anything this year.

"There have been plenty of excuses for the unavailability of the bonuses. The big bosses did not realise how vital the bonuses would be to our life sustenance," said some workers.

Spare also a thought for some workers in the private sector who never received bonuses as well as annual salary increments.

"I have worked for the same company over the last five years. I am still on the same salary scale and bonuses are nonexistent, let alone benefits and allowances.

"We even have to pay to be treated at clinics or hospitals," they said. They added they are also subjected to harsh working conditions, no off-days and dishonoured employment terms.

However, employees of established companies in the private sector were not complaining as they have been treated well by the management.

Industry analysts said working conditions and terms in the private sector must be improved so it could be more attractive to local job seekers.

"Many locals prefer to work for the government as it offers better working terms and conditions. They work temporarily for the private sector while waiting for opportunities in the public sector," they said. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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