Government okays housing allowance

 A total of 40,518 officials will enjoy the raise after the Cabinet approves it in about two weeks. Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee reportedly initiated the increment as a means to win over junior to midlevel government officials.

The Cabinet will only approve an increase in housing allowance for C1 to C7 officials. If officials above this level require an increment, they will have to negotiate with their own agencies, a government source said yesterday.

C1 officials at the lowest salary scale of Bt4,630 are entitled to a housing allowance of Bt800. No details about the current housing allowance rates were available at press time.

Officials at the expert level who draw the lowest salary of Bt10,190 will be entitled to Bt1,950. Experts at the highest salary scale of Bt16,070 will be eligible for Bt3,000.

General government workers in senior positions at the lowest salary scale of Bt15,410 will be entitled to Bt3,000, while those at the highest salary of Bt29,800 will get Bt4,000.

Those in academic positions but with a job description of general operations and at the lowest salary scale of Bt7,940 will be entitled to Bt1,250. Those at the highest salary scale of Bt16,070 get Bt3,000.

Officials in academic positions with basic expertise and at the lowest salary of Bt14,330 will get Bt2,400, while those at the top with a salary of Bt24,250 get Bt3,500.

Those in academic positions with special expertise and at the lowest salary scale of Bt21,080 will be entitled to an allowance of Bt3,000. Those at the highest salary of Bt29,800 get Bt4,000.

Officials in primary administrative positions at the lowest salary scale of Bt18,910 are entitled to Bt3,000, while those at the highest salary of Bt29,800 get Bt4,000.

People in highlevel administrative positions, in academic positions and in primary executive levels, earning salaries of no more than Bt29,900, will be entitled to an allowance of Bt3,000. Those earning more than Bt29,900 will get Bt4,000.