SOME 60,000 civil servants will get a mid-year bonus of half-month and between $100 and $300 in July.

Officers in the lower divisions - Division III and IV - will receive $250 and $300 respectively. Division I and II officers will receive $100.

This is in line with the National Wages Council's (NWC) call to give more to low-wage workers to help them cope with rising cost of living.

A statement from the Public Service Division on Wednesday said the July payout comes against a backdrop of Singapore's continuing economic growth, which is expected at between 4 to 6 per cent this year.

The economy grew by 6.7 per cent in the first quarter, compared to 5.4 per cent in the last quarter of 2007.

'The mid-year payment with higher amounts of $250 to $300 for officers in the lower divisions has taken into consideration the National Wages Council's call to give a one-off special payment to help rank-and-file workers, particularly low wage workers, better cope with the impact of inflation this year,' said the statement.

Last year, civil servants received a half-month bonus in July, and a one-off payment of $220.

PSD said the Government will decide on the year-end bonus for civil servants when Singapore's economic performance in the second half of the year is clearer.

The mid-year payout announcement was applauded by NTUC on Wednesday.

In a statement, it said the higher quantum for lower division civil servants would encourage them to 'perform even better as it forms a larger percentage of their wages.'

Said NTUC: 'We are glad the Government has also followed the National Wages Council's recommendations to use variable payments to reward workers and to grant a one-off special payment to help rank-and-file workers, particularly lower wage workers, cope with the impact of inflation.'

'This year, the higher dollar quantum for the lower wage civil servants will mean a lot more to them as it also serves to help them cope better with rising cost of living and inflationary pressures.'