COLA?

Apparently, the government is planning to implement a 5-day work week for civil servants. And, they'll be re-implementing the COLA - cost of living allowance - which was stopped in 1974.

Question 1 : Does a 5-day work week mean that people like us now have to take leave in order to get things done at government offices? Even now, Saturdays are the busiest days at most government offices.

Even if they implement an extra half-hour worth of work to replace the non-working Saturday, it's not going to help much. Particularly as it may probably just give an extra half-hour of "minum" time.

In actual fact, it really doesn't matter if they get things done really efficiently and work productively during the normal working hours. I mean, the Immigration department can do it so efficiently, how come the NRD or other such depts seem to lack behind in providing timely service?

Question 2 : How do you calculate a COLA?

Do you do it like how you calculate the Consumer Price Index - CPI? Where you take a basket of basic goods and measure its price increase percentage?

Again, it'd be a non-issue if productivity in the civil sector was at a reasonable level. Give them a raise for productivity if you need to. Or promote efficient staff. Do what the private sector does and reward those who should be rewarded. I don't see why taxpayers should pay for the living allowance of civil servants.

"The paper said Cola should be a very reasonable amount, especially for the lower income group, which had been badly hit by the escalating cost of living brought about by rising fuel prices." (The Star, June 2). And who foots our now-increased cost of living??? (Yes, still bitter about the fuel increase. Especially fueled by rumors of another 10-cent increase within the year).

But, no actual plans have been announced yet. So, maybe my shallow understanding of what COLA really is may have tainted my opinion.

My opinion on what's happening in the country is not at its optimistic best right now. Did you read about the RM 1 billion that the country loses every year in import taxes for luxury cars because special permits had been given to a select group of unnamed individuals to pay less taxes? Hmm, I always wondered why the Naza showroom near my house could have such beautiful luxury cars displayed in the windows just like that.