Recently, maybe like 2 days ago, I read that NTUC recommended 6 mths maternity leave (paid leave) for the mothers at work places. I was surprised.. and I thought something positive is happeneing.. as the move was said to be targeted at tackling the low birth rates here in SG.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1215022/1/.html
But then.. I looked carefully.. and the "recommended" word became larger. It was like a suggestion.. not a Law.. not something "concrete".. so.. I thought nobody would bother..
Then today.. I read that the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) came out to say that 6 months paid leave will result in "loss of productivity".. I was not only shocked.. I was trembling with anger and fear.
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120725-0000046/Longer-leave-results-in-loss-of-productivity
My anger was not that the members of the SNEF came out to speak out against something which NTUC (which most would believe is the extension of the govt.. believe la) recommended. It was that employers saw it fit to come out to voice out that THEY should be compensated by means of tax incentives and etc etc..
The government got out the term "productivity" into public attention.. and used it frequently in many instances.. now.. the employers have learned to use it.. and reverse it back onto the government. The government has surely taught the employers and all businesses well.. one clap from me.
The fact that employers can reap bigger profits, by reducing costs on hiring cheaper foreigners, and also by hiring females.. (they can pass lesser, usually citing no NS so no nid pay more), is already known to many of us (some still dreaming out there la). And yet, now they are taking an opposing stand to come together to tackle the low birthrate and argue that THEY, the EMPLOYERS should benefit.. and not the employees.. is too much for me to take.
It is as I wrote before, if there are no laws set up to protect the Singapore employee.. or employees in general.. from discrimination and unfair employment practices.. then the employers, the businesses (small, medium or big) will continue to do things their own way.
Forget about Singapore's National interest and woes, for the businessman, money (in terms of profits) always comes first.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1215022/1/.html
But then.. I looked carefully.. and the "recommended" word became larger. It was like a suggestion.. not a Law.. not something "concrete".. so.. I thought nobody would bother..
Then today.. I read that the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) came out to say that 6 months paid leave will result in "loss of productivity".. I was not only shocked.. I was trembling with anger and fear.
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120725-0000046/Longer-leave-results-in-loss-of-productivity
My anger was not that the members of the SNEF came out to speak out against something which NTUC (which most would believe is the extension of the govt.. believe la) recommended. It was that employers saw it fit to come out to voice out that THEY should be compensated by means of tax incentives and etc etc..
The government got out the term "productivity" into public attention.. and used it frequently in many instances.. now.. the employers have learned to use it.. and reverse it back onto the government. The government has surely taught the employers and all businesses well.. one clap from me.
The fact that employers can reap bigger profits, by reducing costs on hiring cheaper foreigners, and also by hiring females.. (they can pass lesser, usually citing no NS so no nid pay more), is already known to many of us (some still dreaming out there la). And yet, now they are taking an opposing stand to come together to tackle the low birthrate and argue that THEY, the EMPLOYERS should benefit.. and not the employees.. is too much for me to take.
It is as I wrote before, if there are no laws set up to protect the Singapore employee.. or employees in general.. from discrimination and unfair employment practices.. then the employers, the businesses (small, medium or big) will continue to do things their own way.
Forget about Singapore's National interest and woes, for the businessman, money (in terms of profits) always comes first.
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