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Wednesday July 2, 12:47 AMNTUC to do more to increase pay of low-wage workersSINGAPORE: In the Manpower Ministry's latest wage report released on Monday, the salaries for low-wage workers have remained stagnant for the past 10 years.With inflation running at a 26-year high of 7.5 per cent in May, what is being done to help these workers? And why have their wages not risen in tandem with the times? 56-year-old Chua Hong Eng has been working in the same company for 15 years. She has upgraded her qualifications by going for training about twice a year and has moved up from working as a cleaner to a vector control officer. But during that period, her salary has practically remained constant. After becoming a vector control officer in April this year, she was given a S$30 monthly salary increment. "I earn S$800 every month and now with inflation, life is difficult. I have no savings and I have to eat my meals at home," she said. Madam Chua is a daily-rated worker – part of the group at the bottom percentile whose wage increments have been almost next to nothing, compared to managers and professionals. It is estimated that about 20 per cent of Singapore's total workforce are low-wage workers like Madam Chua. These are workers who earn less than S$1,500 a month, and with the soaring inflation, the salaries of these workers have not been able to catch up with the rising costs of living. NTUC's Deputy Secretary-General, Halimah Yacob, said there are several factors that result in this phenomenon. Less-skilled workers are running on a different track, compared to the better skilled workers who are able to command higher salaries. There are also retirees who re-enter the workforce at a much lower pay. She said it would take some time before the full effect of initiatives like the Job Recreation Programme is felt. The programme, aimed at enhancing the productivity of workers so they are paid better, took on greater prominence about three years ago. "It is difficult and we are doing our best, but my point is that if we had not done all that, it probably would have been worse. Obviously, we must continue with that effort and do a lot more," said Madam Halimah. She is confident that with the twin strategy of continued skills upgrading and support in terms of Workfare Bonuses, Medisave and Back-To-School vouchers, things will be better for low-wage workers. And as the momentum for the Job Recreation Programme continues, NTUC is looking to train 20,000 workers this year, compared to 15,000 last year. Madam Halimah also wants to see a more detailed analysis of the Ministry of Manpower's report on wages, detailing which sectors have low-wage increments and the reasons for poor remuneration. - CNA/so
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