May I ask whether all civil servants are paid largely the same three months plus $220 for good performers and 3.3 months plus $220 for better performers?

What criteria distinguish not-so-good performers from 'good' and 'better' ones, or is the floor grade 'good' and therefore the minimum payout is three months plus $220?

While stress levels and rewards between the public and private sectors remain hotly debatable, use of public funds should be subject to transparent benchmarking against performance. Certainly, I have yet to hear of the private sector paying bonuses in July, December and March.

I do not begrudge deserving civil servants a bonus, but they should be seen to earn it, like the rest of us. This begets accountability, as distinct from the politics of envy.

The private sector best rewards those with value-creation and problem-solving skills, while poor performers face warnings, pay cuts and dismissal.

With salaries in the public sector already benchmarked against those in the private sector, the public expects no less than an efficient civil service.

The private sector does not expect to follow the public sector's lead in bonus payouts, with SMEs citing soaring rentals, increased costs and the need to save for a rainy day.

With the Government and government-linked companies as Singapore's largest landlord, is the public sector's bonus being squeezed out of the private sector?

Indeed, it lends credence to the iron-rice-bowl perception of government service.

Does the public consider staff of, say, the Land Transport Authority and HDB to have earned their bonuses? Do they even deserve a bonus?

Lee Soon Chin (Ms)