Rumours have been circulating online that two employees of Northwest Community Development Council received bonuses of 8 months last year, including the 13th month bonus.
This first surfaced when a writer by the name of johnlaw2012 brought it up on the Channelnewsasia forum on the first of this month.
This prompted Eugene Yeo, Chief Editor of the blog - Wayang Party Club, to write a letter to Northwest District Mayor Dr Teo Ho Pin.
Mr Yeo wanted to confirm the rumour with Dr Teo.
938LIVE wasn't able to reach Dr Teo, who's overseas.
Northwest CDC also declined comment, re-directing all queries instead to the People's Association or PA which manages the staff at all 5 CDCs here.
In its email reply to 938 LIVE, the PA neither confirmed nor denied the rumour.
It would only say that 'salaries are in line with the National Wages Council Guidelines'.
This means they're performance-based and come with variable components based on economic and individual performance.
This is to reward and incentivise staff fairly and responsibly.
The PA adds that it is only staff at the lower-end of the salary range who will receive a higher performance bonus range.
This allows such officers to move closer to the norm of other staff performing the same kind of job, but who have a higher basic monthly pay.
It also helps the PA to retain outstanding performers.
Overall, 'only a small proportion among top performers receive a higher bonus range'.
The PA says performance bonus ranges and other salary components are reviewed regularly and go up or down in tandem with economic and market conditions.
Given the current economic climate, it has cut its performance bonus pool, but the PA did not clarify by how much when asked.
They say they're working within a 'smaller budget'.
938 LIVE however, understands from two previous CDC staff that the performance bonus payouts are part of what's known as the 'Loyalty Bonus Scheme'.
This is paid out only to staff of a certain rank and above and payment is in two instalments.
Bonus for work done in 2008 for instance, would be given out partially in 2008 and the other half in 2009.
This scheme has been in place since 2005.
Eligiblity criteria and salary details and bonus of staff are decided by the People's Association.
As a statutory board, the PA is also free to implement a pay structure that best suits their staff, unlike ministries which come under the purview of the Public Service Division.
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