(a) In addition to any amounts specified heretofore in this act or any amendments thereto, each person, other than a member of the General Assembly, whose compensation is fixed in this act, shall, subject to the recommendation and approval of the appointing authority having the power to employ such person, receive an amount as a cost-of-living increase equal to five per cent of the compensation such person is receiving on the date such person is recommended to receive such increase. Such amount shall be prorated to each pay period, beginning with the first pay period occurring after such person has been recommended to receive such increase and continuing thereafter.

(b) In addition to any amounts specified heretofore in this act or any amendments thereto, each person, other than a member of the General Assembly, who is an employe under this act, or is an employe of any bureau, board, commission or committee under the joint or several control of the Houses of the General Assembly, shall, receive an amount as a cost-of-living increase equal to six per cent of the compensation such person is receiving on the effective date of this subsection. Such amount shall be prorated to each pay period, commencing with the first pay period occurring after the effective date of this subsection (b) and continuing thereafter.