The raise applies to all civil service and defence services personnel.  The salary increase, which starts on April 1, is the fifth since 1988. Pay increases were made in 1989, 1993, 2000, 2006 and 2010.

In February, Lower House Speaker Shwe Mann put forward a motion in a joint session of Parliament, saying: “In truth, the salaries, expenditures and allowances of government employees are not in line with today’s prices. They are not enough for their basic livelihoods and other needs.”
 
Shwe Mann’s motion also urged the government to increase wages to encourage clean government and prevent corruption. The motion passed.

Later, Finance Minister Hla Tun objected to the increase, saying it could cause inflation and add to the budget deficit and the weak economy. He told Parliament that a pay raise for all government employees should be considered in the 2013-2014 fiscal year and proposed that only government employees serving in 85 remote townships be given hardship raises.
 
Lower House Speaker Thura Shwe Mann in February sent an appeal letter to Parliament again urging the government to act to increase salaries.