TEMERLOH, June 19 (Bernama) -- The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) is hoping the government could absorb the 60,000 contract staff in the public service to permanent and pensionable posts.

Its deputy president, Azih Muda, believed that the move, besides, ensuring their future benefits, would also help to further improve the quality of the public service.

"The role of the contract staff should be appreciated as they also help in realising the government's development agenda and country's growth," he told reporters after calling on the Temerloh Municipal Council (MPT) president, Datuk Tariff Abdul Rahman, here today.

Azih said the congress also supported the suggestion by Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob recently for contract workers to be recruited through the economic stimulus package and be absorbed into permanent posts.