Written by Our Correspondent
Minister in Prime Minister’s Office and NTUC Secretary-General Mr Lim Swee Say has exhorted Singapore companies to adopt the “cheaper, faster and better” strategy to increase productivity in the face of new challenges brought about by the recovery of the economy.
Singapore became the first Asian country to enter into recession in 2008. Its leaders claimed it is “unavoidable” as Singapore is heavily dependent on external trade, however when Singapore got out of recession last year, they were quick to claim credit for it.
Mr Lim was speaking during a visit to hi-tech optics company QIOPTIQ this morning. He had earlier also made a call on Singapore workers to be “cheaper, faster and better” which brought him much derision from the public.
This time round, he had his deputy Ms Josephine Teo to clarify what he had meant exactly.
Speaking to reports from Lianhe Wanbao, Ms Teo explained the concept of “cheaper, faster and better” involves increasing the productivity of workers through training to equip them with manifold skills and not via decreasing their wages or making them work under unbearable conditions.
Though the ruling party has constantly implored Singapore workers to lower their wage demands to keep themselves competitive, the irony is – it is the most expensive government in the world.
A Minister without portfolio like Mr Lim Swee Say costs Singapore taxpayers nearly $2 million dollars a year or more than 4 times the annual salary of U.S. President Barack Obama.
Perhaps Mr Lim should walk his talk first by coming up with a set of KPIs to assess the performance of his fellow colleagues according to his “cheaper, faster and better” strategy.
Carry on here. Thread Closed.