How did the National Wage Council come up with such an amount of $60 for our low wage workers? Is $60 a magic amount? No! Let's see the reason why...
The National Wages Council (NWC) has proposed that employers give low-wage workers a built-in wage increase of at least S$60. This applies to workers earning up to S$1,000 a month.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/nwc-proposes-wage-increase-of-at-least-s/693816.html
The magic amount started when Minister of State for Community Development, Health and Sports legislated a weekly day off for domestic helpers. If not given a day off a week, maids are normally compensated either in cash or kind. Many employers prefer to compensate their helpers with the additional $60 a month or $15 per week off day, so as to keep "trouble" to the minimum.
http://maid-employer.blogspot.sg/2013/04/domestic-maids-off-day.html
Several months later, MinDef also signaled an increase of $60 to all NSFs.
From April 2012, the allowance for all servicemen in the Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force will be increased by S$60 across all ranks.
A typical NSF officer holding the rank of second lieutenant (2LT) will receive S$1, 150 per month.
The domino effect is a chain reaction that occurs when a small change causes a similar change nearby, which then causes another similar change, and so on... $60 for maids---> $60 NSFs---> $60 to low wage workers...
However, if one look at the percentage increase, $60 out of $1000 is really peanuts compared to both Domestic Helpers and NSFs.
The National Employers Federation said it endorses the NWC guidelines, and added that the guidelines will help companies manage rising costs as they restructure to raise productivity in the midst of the tighter manpower policies.
The government has accepted the recommendations.
But all talks and no ACTIONS!!! Unions really need to work harder for its members.
1 Timothy 5:18; For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
At the end of the day, we must be fruitful that we are still employed and living in a wealthy country, Singapore.
Colosians 4:1; Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
The apostle James warned people who did not pay their workers:
“Now, you rich people, weep and cry aloud. There are terrible troubles that will soon be coming to you. Your riches have lost their value. Your beautiful clothes are as if moths had eaten them. Your gold and your silver have become dirty and stained. The dirt and stains will be evidence against you in the judgement. They are like poison that will eat up your bodies as with fire. That is because you have heaped up a lot of riches in these last days. Listen! You have not paid the wages of those who worked in your fields. The money you kept from them cries out to God against you. The Lord of all power has heard the cries of the workers. You have lived on earth in luxury. And you have had all that you wanted. You lived to please yourselves. You have made yourself fat, like animals ready for men to kill. You have accused. And you have caused the death of those who were innocent.” James 5:1-6
PaultoHSB
