KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — The Congress of Unions of Employees in Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) today urged the government to consider extending the term of services for some 17,000 contract and permanent civil servants.

The services of these civil servants will be terminated come June 16.

Cuepacs president Datuk Azih Muda said the one-month suspension notice from 16 May to 16 June is too drastic, making it difficult for employees to plan their career.

"The last date for the termination notice falls on second day of Eid festive. This causes difficulties for the staffs involved to do the festive preparation for the family,” he told reporters at the press conference, today.

Azih said the affected civil servants had come in groups to meet the congress to voice their concerns after Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s announcement to end the contracts of some 17,000 civil servants.

"Most of them are requesting the notice of termination to be extended so that they have sufficient time to apply for another job.

"So, we appeal to the government to consider extending the notice of termination, especially when the groups which fall under the execution group of one, two, and administration and professional (P&P) were not directly involved with politics.

"They are just the group of employees in administration department from grade 1 to 40 who only follow the instructions from the relevant agencies,” he added.

Following the meeting with Cuepacs top members, Azih suggested the notice period to be within three to six months.