KUCHING: The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) Sarawak has opined that if the Covid-19 special allowance for frontliners is paid together with their monthly salaries, bureaucracy can be avoided.
Its president, Ahmad Malie, described the bureaucracy process as a complication and unfair for frontliners who have been risking their own lives and safety for others in the effort to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In other words, the frontliners are willing to fulfil their duty in a dangerous and high-risk situation. Thus, their services should not be disputed and they should not have to make a claim to acquire the allowance,” he told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
He was echoing a recent statement by Cuepacs president Adnan Mat, who suggested that the special allowance for Covid-19 frontliners be paid together with their monthly salaries.
Ahmad further mentioned that the government had announced the Covid-19 allowance rate according to their respective categories.
“Thus, Sarawak Cuepacs urged the government, especially the related agencies, to manage the allowance payment without the need to undergo bureaucracy process.
“It is more reasonable for the allowance to be paid according to their categories and qualification, simultaneously with their salaries.
“Sarawak Cuepacs believed that this method is much more fair and sincere to express our appreciation to the frontliners, who have been working hard for the betterment of the country,” he said.
“Sarawak Cuepacs also hopes the related agencies will seriously deliberate on the issue for the welfare of those in the front line.”
