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NTUC chief addresses migrant worker issues
Lim Swee Say says equal pay for foreign workers will 'disadvantage' locals
04:46 AM Dec 15, 2012
by Woo Sian Boon - TODAY
SINGAPORE - In the wake of the illegal strike last month by some SMRT bus drivers from China, calls have emerged for equal remuneration for all in the same jobs, but National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) chief Lim Swee Say said that this is "not the way to go", calling the issue a "complicated" and "sensitive" one. (And therefore they have not taken steps to address these even as the floodgates are still widenng?)
Equal remuneration will "disadvantage" local workers and their families as they have to bear the cost of living here, while the bulk of the money foreign workers earned here is sent back to their home countries, said Mr Lim at a media conference to address migrant workers issues yesterday. (What has how an employee spends his money is part of an employer's problem?)
Among other grievances, the Chinese bus drivers from SMRT had protested about the discrepancies between their wages and those of their Malaysian counterparts.
Yesterday, Mr Lim said there are two factors behind the disparity in wages between foreign workers of different nationalities.
First, workers are paid depending on the length of their employment in Singapore. Malaysian workers for example "are a traditional source of supply", many of whom have renewed their work permits repeatedly, and over time have even chosen to settle down in Singapore as permanent residents, Mr Lim said. (What kind of logic is this? What makes him think the latest batch of Chinese drivers do not want to keep renewing their work permits, especially since they had paid hefty sums to get a job here?)
"Therefore, over the years, they are able to accumulate their expertise, their experience and are able to add value to the businesses. That's why they are treated differently from non-traditional sources," he said.(This is really the shit in Lim Shit Say's mouth. When a Malaysian driver starts work next week, what kind of "expertise, experience and ability toadd value to the businesses" is he talking about? Two drivers from two different countries start on the same basis from day one!)
Second, from an employers' standpoint, wages are only one part of the employment cost, and businesses still have to fork out money for foreign workers' levies and, in some cases, housing, transport and other allowances. (It is up the employers to put together a package and new employees can then have the option of choosing. There is no doubt that the Chinese drivers were offered a either take my package, or no job for you attitude.)
Noting that workers from different countries have different strengths and weaknesses which would enable them to fare better in certain industries, Mr Lim said: "Instead of trying to push for equal pay, I think what is important is for us to go towards a fair and reasonable payment regardless of their nationality and depend more on their skills, productivity and their value-add to the industry, and the business." (So, Mr Lim, by salary packages that classify employees from Day One, how do you think employers can achieve this? This is such a bad generalisation statement that defies all logic. What would be his response if someone says all those surnamed Lim are idiots?))
Migrant Workers' Centre chairman Yeo Guat Kwang, who is also a Member of Parliament, noted that there are legal protections for foreign workers here, including the Employment Act - which covers the basic employment terms for all workers in Singapore - the Workplace Safety and Health Act, the Employment Agencies Act and the recently-amended Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. (This Yeo clown is the Champion of Motherhood Statements. So, with all the support in place, why did the strike happen?)
The challenge for the centre now is to "reach out to more of them and to get them to understand and work more closely with us", Mr Yeo said. (So, what has the Centre been doing. But this is not surprising. Is he not the MP with 64 jobs?)
It is currently working with tripartite partners to set up another centre - to be opened in the first half of next year - to increase accessibility to more foreign workers, while a new Dormitory Association will be formed to set standards for living conditions.(Har? After the floodgates have opened for millions of foreign workers?)
"With the formation of this association, we hope that more than 70 per cent of dormitory operators will voluntarily comply with the standards, so that the dormitories will be better than the basic regulatory requirements set by government agencies," said Mr Yeo.(Why 70%? Why not 100%? It is obviously a coded message to say, hey, it is okay man, not to have even the basic amenities. Would he accept his maid cleaning up only 70% of his house every day?)
Asked if Singapore should have a separate union for foreign workers, Mr Lim said no, pointing out that the labour movement should be an inclusive union for all. (Yea, we are certainly inclusive. By includng you in the group of people for whom we will not be fighting for additional pay and perks from your employers. So, yes, please come and join our inclusive union).COLOR]
"If we do that, we will have different unions for foreign workers, for PMEs and for the older workers. If we go in that direction(Wow, this is truly, truly profound, Mr Lim)., social segregation in Singapore will become even worse," he pointed out.)
Lim Swee Say says equal pay for foreign workers will 'disadvantage' locals
04:46 AM Dec 15, 2012
by Woo Sian Boon - TODAY
SINGAPORE - In the wake of the illegal strike last month by some SMRT bus drivers from China, calls have emerged for equal remuneration for all in the same jobs, but National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) chief Lim Swee Say said that this is "not the way to go", calling the issue a "complicated" and "sensitive" one. (And therefore they have not taken steps to address these even as the floodgates are still widenng?)
Equal remuneration will "disadvantage" local workers and their families as they have to bear the cost of living here, while the bulk of the money foreign workers earned here is sent back to their home countries, said Mr Lim at a media conference to address migrant workers issues yesterday. (What has how an employee spends his money is part of an employer's problem?)
Among other grievances, the Chinese bus drivers from SMRT had protested about the discrepancies between their wages and those of their Malaysian counterparts.
Yesterday, Mr Lim said there are two factors behind the disparity in wages between foreign workers of different nationalities.
First, workers are paid depending on the length of their employment in Singapore. Malaysian workers for example "are a traditional source of supply", many of whom have renewed their work permits repeatedly, and over time have even chosen to settle down in Singapore as permanent residents, Mr Lim said. (What kind of logic is this? What makes him think the latest batch of Chinese drivers do not want to keep renewing their work permits, especially since they had paid hefty sums to get a job here?)
"Therefore, over the years, they are able to accumulate their expertise, their experience and are able to add value to the businesses. That's why they are treated differently from non-traditional sources," he said.(This is really the shit in Lim Shit Say's mouth. When a Malaysian driver starts work next week, what kind of "expertise, experience and ability toadd value to the businesses" is he talking about? Two drivers from two different countries start on the same basis from day one!)
Second, from an employers' standpoint, wages are only one part of the employment cost, and businesses still have to fork out money for foreign workers' levies and, in some cases, housing, transport and other allowances. (It is up the employers to put together a package and new employees can then have the option of choosing. There is no doubt that the Chinese drivers were offered a either take my package, or no job for you attitude.)
Noting that workers from different countries have different strengths and weaknesses which would enable them to fare better in certain industries, Mr Lim said: "Instead of trying to push for equal pay, I think what is important is for us to go towards a fair and reasonable payment regardless of their nationality and depend more on their skills, productivity and their value-add to the industry, and the business." (So, Mr Lim, by salary packages that classify employees from Day One, how do you think employers can achieve this? This is such a bad generalisation statement that defies all logic. What would be his response if someone says all those surnamed Lim are idiots?))
Migrant Workers' Centre chairman Yeo Guat Kwang, who is also a Member of Parliament, noted that there are legal protections for foreign workers here, including the Employment Act - which covers the basic employment terms for all workers in Singapore - the Workplace Safety and Health Act, the Employment Agencies Act and the recently-amended Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. (This Yeo clown is the Champion of Motherhood Statements. So, with all the support in place, why did the strike happen?)
The challenge for the centre now is to "reach out to more of them and to get them to understand and work more closely with us", Mr Yeo said. (So, what has the Centre been doing. But this is not surprising. Is he not the MP with 64 jobs?)
It is currently working with tripartite partners to set up another centre - to be opened in the first half of next year - to increase accessibility to more foreign workers, while a new Dormitory Association will be formed to set standards for living conditions.(Har? After the floodgates have opened for millions of foreign workers?)
"With the formation of this association, we hope that more than 70 per cent of dormitory operators will voluntarily comply with the standards, so that the dormitories will be better than the basic regulatory requirements set by government agencies," said Mr Yeo.(Why 70%? Why not 100%? It is obviously a coded message to say, hey, it is okay man, not to have even the basic amenities. Would he accept his maid cleaning up only 70% of his house every day?)
Asked if Singapore should have a separate union for foreign workers, Mr Lim said no, pointing out that the labour movement should be an inclusive union for all. (Yea, we are certainly inclusive. By includng you in the group of people for whom we will not be fighting for additional pay and perks from your employers. So, yes, please come and join our inclusive union).COLOR]
"If we do that, we will have different unions for foreign workers, for PMEs and for the older workers. If we go in that direction(Wow, this is truly, truly profound, Mr Lim)., social segregation in Singapore will become even worse," he pointed out.)
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