Minister Chan Chun Sing said that we should be anti-elitism and not anti-excellence. This phrase sounds impressive. But what does it mean? Is it just another way of ignoring the problem of large inequality?
What can be done to correct the grotesque inequality?
The answer is obvious - introduce a minimum wage of $1,500 per month or $10 an hour.
It has been argued that some employers cannot afford this wage. I agree. But what about the other employers?
But can the National Library Board or Changi Airport afford it?
What can be done to correct the grotesque inequality?
The answer is obvious - introduce a minimum wage of $1,500 per month or $10 an hour.
It has been argued that some employers cannot afford this wage. I agree. But what about the other employers?
But can the National Library Board or Changi Airport afford it?
Why is the National Library Board paying only $5.50 am hour for their part time assistants?
I don't know what Changi Airport pays, but it probably is much lower than $10 an hour. I read a news report that one elderly worker, 65 years old, was so angry with his job that he changed the destination labels on many luggage mischievously and got them sent to the wrong destination.
I know that Changi Airport made a profit of $849 million last year. Can they afford to give better pay to their workers?
Can they also pay more to their check-in staff, so that more locals will take up the jobs? It is rather sad to see many of these jobs being done by foreigners.
If the minister wants to achieve less inequality, words will not do much. He should get the govt to introduce a minimum wage of $10 an hour or $1,500 a month for all jobs in the public sector.
What about the private sector?
All big and profitable companies can afford the minimum wage. It is not that much, compared to many other countries with lower cost of living.
What about the small employers? The govt can provide a wage subsidy of 30% of the wages, capped at $1,000 a month for each employer.
Some small employers will abuse this subsidy, but they can be handled. The govt just need to pay attention and deal with the abuses. It is not that difficult.
Elitism is a bad word for the current practice of this govt. the govt can remove this bad image by paying a minimum wage in the public sector and help small businesses to provide this minimum wage.
When workers find dignity in their job, and the dignity starts with an adequate wage, they will not worry too much about elitism.
Tan Kin Lian
I don't know what Changi Airport pays, but it probably is much lower than $10 an hour. I read a news report that one elderly worker, 65 years old, was so angry with his job that he changed the destination labels on many luggage mischievously and got them sent to the wrong destination.
I know that Changi Airport made a profit of $849 million last year. Can they afford to give better pay to their workers?
Can they also pay more to their check-in staff, so that more locals will take up the jobs? It is rather sad to see many of these jobs being done by foreigners.
If the minister wants to achieve less inequality, words will not do much. He should get the govt to introduce a minimum wage of $10 an hour or $1,500 a month for all jobs in the public sector.
What about the private sector?
All big and profitable companies can afford the minimum wage. It is not that much, compared to many other countries with lower cost of living.
What about the small employers? The govt can provide a wage subsidy of 30% of the wages, capped at $1,000 a month for each employer.
Some small employers will abuse this subsidy, but they can be handled. The govt just need to pay attention and deal with the abuses. It is not that difficult.
Elitism is a bad word for the current practice of this govt. the govt can remove this bad image by paying a minimum wage in the public sector and help small businesses to provide this minimum wage.
When workers find dignity in their job, and the dignity starts with an adequate wage, they will not worry too much about elitism.
Tan Kin Lian
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