By Ramesh Subbaraman
According to the report released by the Ministry of Manpower on 30 November 2015, there was a sustained rise in income for the 20th percentile group comprising low income earners.
Income, which includes employer CPF contributions, at the 20th percentile of full-time employed residents rose by 26 per cent from $1,600 in 2010 to $2,012 in 2015 in nominal terms, or 4.7 per cent per annum. The increase after adjusting for inflation was 11 per cent or 2.1 per cent per annum.
Boosting Income
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) and Director of NTUC Care and Share Department and the U Care Centre Zainal Bin Sapari said the Labour Movement was pleased with the growth in median income but felt that the rate of growth at the 20th percentile could have been higher.
“More needs to be done for low-wage workers (LWW), for example, making the 13th month Annual Wage Supplement or bonus payment mandatory. There should be a more widespread adoption of the National Wages Council recommendations for LWW, which is currently now more prevalent in the unionised sector only,” said ASG Zainal.
Source: NTUC This Week
