Written by Our Correspondent
Manpower Minister Mr Gan Kim Yong highlighted the “modest” one-off year-end payment of 0.25 month, capped at S$750 for civil servants as an example for employers to reward workers who have performed well.
“I think we all understand that the economic outlook for next year still remains uncertain. In fact, that is what we already expected. For those that can afford (it), with very positive business outlook, they should consider giving some recognition, which could take the form of a one-time payment,” he said.
The government has been urging companies to restore the pay cuts for workers who have made “sacrifices” during the economic downturn last year.
While civil servants are still entitled to a 13th month bonus, some in the private sector are not receiving any bonuses as well.
Even with the expected 22 per cent reduction in salaries, Singapore’s ministers remain the highest paid in the world.
Mr Gan himself is expected to take home around $1.5 million dollars a year or $125,000 a month.
The median wage of an average Singapore worker is only $4,500 monthly.
It is not known if companies will be heeding the government’s call to increase the wages of their workers.
There are no independent unions to fight for the interests of Singapore workers.
Most unions in Singapore are under the direct or indirect control of NTUC, a quasi-government organization always headed by a cabinet minister.
According to official statistics, the median wages of the lower income group has increased only marginally in the last decade which coincides with a high inflow of foreigners and widening income gap.
MM Lee Kuan Yew said recently that he is not concerned with the widening income gap between the rich and the poor as long jobs are being created for Singaporeans.
one word - speechless
the rich would be richer the average and needy one - slog until their last breath.
Why should MM LKY be concerned with the widening income gap - when he is drawing his pension paid since his official retirement at age 65, and will also be paid an annual salary of S$2,000,000PLUS ?
Why should he even bother if jobs are created - when foreigners are so freely let into Singapore to compete with Singaporeans for the same few new jobs ?
It seems that his responsibility ends when the records show jobs are created.
塞牙� oso not enuf..............