Some grass-roots civil servants question careers amid anti-graft campaign

China's unprecedented ongoing anti-graft and frugality efforts have caused downfall of a number of officials, and prompted complaints by a number of public servants over low pay and difficulty in getting promoted. Some have even begun to look for ways to protect themselves by job hopping or even sheer inaction. While surveys have shown that the crackdown on corruption is widely supported, even among officials, civil servants also want a better, more transparent remuneration system.

As the nation tightens an ongoing crackdown on corruption, a number of officials have been investigated and sacked, while incomes are falling for those who remain. To avoid the appearance of "malpractice", many of the remaining civil servants have resorted to out-and-out inaction, while others have begun job hopping in search of higher salaries.

Qiang Wei, Party chief of East China's Jiangxi Province, has voiced concerns over these trends.

"Some officials have become too concerned about dealing with entrepreneurs and investors, fearing they'll be implicated if something goes wrong with the businesses," Qiang said at a provincial meeting in July, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

"Some worry that the tightened anti-graft campaign is impacting staff morale and stability. Some thought the strict rules on officials might negatively affect local development. [Officials] don't dare join a meal or receive any gifts, [so] things are getting difficult to accomplish. Some have complained it's difficult to be an official, with some even cutting back on their work," he added.

He Wenkai, a prosecutor in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has also sensed the change in mindset by some officials.

"Since the central government launched campaigns against hedonism and extravagancy, the whole ecosystem of officialdom has drastically changed. 'Open secrets' have become taboo, and the gray income and benefits that come with power and responsibility have been greatly cut. Some officials cannot get used to it. They're complaining a lot," He told the Global Times.

Echoing Qiang, He said these views are wrong and shall be corrected.

Ye Qing, deputy head of the bureau of statistics of Hubei Province, agreed. He told the Global Times that under the new rules, irregular administrative practices are being improved, and bad habits in official circles are being cracked down on, to the benefit of overall governance.

Official 'perks' disappearing

Liu Xiaoyang (pseudonym), a department chief from a ministry-level department in Beijing, revealed that he and his colleagues have become reluctant go on business trips.

"It's not because we don't want to go, but we cannot afford the expenditure. Days ago, I accompanied my department chief on a business trip to Wuhan, I 'lost' 400 yuan ($65)," he told Phoenix Weekly.

According to regulations, as a division chief, Liu is entitled only to a seat in coach. But when his department chief asked Liu to join him in first class, he could hardly say no. He ended up having to pay the 400 yuan upgrade fee himself.

There are also other complaints.

According to Liu, the business trip allowances for lodging and food for a division chief like him are 80 yuan and 50 yuan per day. But even a room in a cheap motel costs much more than 80 yuan in most cities in China.

However, Ye Qing denied this was a major issue. "Such occasions are few. The government has increased subsidies. And allowances are higher when the destinations are major cities like Beijing," Ye said.

Ye said that it was previously common practice for the receiving party on business trips to cover all expenses, including lodging, catering and even transportation for the visiting officials. "Some would claim reimbursement from their employers after they went back [to their home cities], even though they hadn't paid a penny for their trips," he noted.

But since the central government has tightened controls on public expenditures, receiving parties no longer pick up the check.

"So when this 'illicit' income was cut, some feel uncomfortable," Ye added.

But Ye said government vehicle reform and transportation subsidy systems need to be improved. In some areas, vehicle subsidies are still inadequate for officials to make field inspections and get their work done.

One staff member surnamed Wang, who is in charge of securing attendance by high-level political officials at high-level forums organized by his department in Beijing, admits that it's getting increasingly hard to find attendees.

"Most don't want to go on business trips outside their city. Reception standards have been lowered, and they don't dare to take gifts. Even if they go and try to organize a private banquet with local friends and officials to network, they find it hard to get people to show up," Wang was quoted as saying by Phoenix Weekly.

Many attribute the sharp decline in domestic high-end catering services to the cut in public expenditure on reception. Service providers are either shifting their focus to middle- and low-income consumers or moving into non-catering businesses, such as high technology.

Public salaries 'embarrassing'

Some also link the stringent rules and low salaries to increasing resignations among promising officials.

A civil servant surnamed Jiang working in the policy research department of a county Party committee in Hunan Province admits that he's thought of switching jobs.

"I have worked for seven years, and my monthly salary is only 2500 yuan. That's only just enough for my family of three [wife without job, and 3-year-old son] to make ends meet," he told the Global Times. "If I can find a new job with a higher wage, I will resign."

There's a public stereotype that the jobs of government workers are easy, with light workloads. But Jiang said it's the norm for him to work overtime and on weekends.

"There are always endless reports and presentation materials to write and compile," he said.