Recently, an article says that "Employers Continue to Exploit Salary Loophole" got me thinking of an abusive psychotic ex-boss. Although I don't really like her, one particular habit of hers got me to think that it could be the solution to MOM's problems.
This ex-boss of mine is a Devil Wears Prada one-of-a-kind.
Basically, she loves to micro-manage and has a violent temper. She, being a divorcee, also has many prejudices against males.
At that time, most of us believed that she was mentally ill, mentally sick but did not seek medical attention as she regarded the discipline to lead a regimental life as a test of faith in Jesus Christ. It was as if a voice told her that she was the third story of the Bible, that she was like the second coming of Jesus (and that) she was to save people from a life of meaningless purpose.
Her insecurity and paranoia went even beyond the level that you would expect from someone who is a control freak. Her fantasies of omnipotence blended with her paranoia. In many, she played the role of absolute ruler. It wasn't just that she loved order; it was necessary for her survival. A lack of order, supposed chaos and dirt threw her completely.
Rules were just as important as order. She could get wrapped up for hours in instructions on how to do something and followed them fastidiously.
A simple task of walking from point A to point B was a major drama production itself.
One particular offensive way of irritating us (which I think can be applied to MOM's solutions) is to micro-manage the lunch takeaway process.
She has no friends to eat lunch with and out of embarassment (as it is rather paiseh to eat lunch alone), she would order us to takeaway lunch at the nearby Kopitiam etc. She will tell us to buy Yong Tau Foo, Fishball Noodles or Chicken Rice but as there are many stalls selling Chicken Rice or Fishball Noodles at different prices, she doesn't keep track.
But being paranoid and insecure, she would ask us to use our own money first and give it to her first as a 'deposit'. Initially, I was puzzled so I asked her colleagues about this strange ritual.
Apparently, she was afraid that we would 'inflate' the food prices and quote a price that is not within her budget or out to cheat her money. By giving her a 'deposit', she will randomly check the hawker prices when she passes by the hawker centre when she goes home.
It is only the next day, she will return us the 'deposit'.
The same logic can be applied.
1) MOM can 'create' a department specialising in micro-managing this process.
2) Employers need to deposit their employees salaries into the MOM Jobs Bank with their 'declared' salaries
3) MOM would then, after checking, disburse the salaries into these foreigners account.
4) As for those employers who force their employees to 'give back' their declared salaries, MOM should have a whistleblowing system to allow employees to blow the lid off these errant employers without fear of repercussion. Many foreigners are afraid to blow the whistle as it can mean losing their jobs. But if MOM is willing to give these foreigners new jobs in exchange for whistleblowing, many would be willing to come forward. And these new jobs could be in FnB, retail, factories and many foreigners don't even mind working in these outlets as the salaries are almost the same as S-Pass holders.
5) And to top it off, MOM can employ all the jobless middle-aged PMETs to staff this department. HDB already has 1 whole department of more than 50 staff doing all the chasing of mortgage arrears. I don't see why MOM cannot create a new department doing that as well.
CJ
TRS Contributor