Today, the first of Labour Movement’s 12 industry clusters - Transport & Logistics Services Cluster introduced its progressive wage structure that is unique to the industry at the Transport & Logistics Employment Fair.
In line with its progressive wage structure, the cluster also launched the Training Programme for Class 3 and 4 Driving Licences as part of the cluster’s initial efforts to bring relevant skills and better jobs to workers. Specifically, the programme serves to improve wages of low-wage workers progressively and develop a strong Singaporean core in the industry.
Cluster to help Singaporeans move up wage ladder in related sectors
Comprising 10 different unions from the transport and logistics-related sectors, the Transport & Logistics Services Cluster seek to gather strength and resources in tackling cluster-wide challenges such as the manpower crunch and raising of productivity.
The cluster will work closely with tripartite partners, including key industry partners, to help workers achieve sustainable wage increases through skills upgrading and growth in productivity and the adoption of the progressive wage system.
Training Programme for the Unemployed and Low-Wage Workers to get Driving Licences
For a start, the newly-launched Training Programme for Class 3 and 4 Driving Licence aims to help low-wage workers who are currently working in the transport and logistics services sector, and attract those who are not, to join the sector. Through this programme, they will receive help in getting the Class 3 or Class 4 driving licence faster and be placed in transport and logistics-related jobs.
Under this programme, people who are unemployed or those who earn a monthly salary of less than $1,700 or per household capita of less than $1,400 can register with NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) to get a 90 per cent subsidy for the training fees. The training fees are supported by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and e2i.
For those who do not have the means to get a Class 3 licence, the subsidised programme will help them get the licence and place them in a better paying job. For drivers who are looking for career progression, the Class 4 licence will help them advance in their jobs to achieve better wages.
Working with the government, employers and industry partners, the cluster hopes that the training programme would also allow the licences to be attained in a shorter time-frame. For example, workers who are looking at getting a Class 3 licence would be able to do so in six to nine months, instead of the usual one to one-and-a-half year. This way, the programme serves as a one-stop help for the unemployed and low-wage workers – to be trained and placed in better jobs within the shortest period of time.
The cluster aims to help at least 1,000 low-wage workers by the first quarter of 2013 through this train and place arrangement, and equip them with driving skills and place them in better jobs with higher salaries and career advancement opportunities.
Transport & Logistics Employment Fair
The cluster also held a one-day employment fair, which featured more than 200 job vacancies that pay at least $1,500 from the transport & logistics sector. Nine employers took part in the employment fair to provide job vacancies like drivers, logistics officers, supervisors, customer service coordinators, operations assistants, bus captains and more.
The employers are Comfort Transportation Pte Ltd / CityCab Pte Ltd, DHL Supply Chain Singapore Pte Ltd, PSA Corporation Limited, SBS Transit Pte Ltd, SDV Logistics (Singapore) Pte Ltd, TNT Express Worldwide (S) Pte Ltd, Toll Logistics (Asia), United Parcel Service Singapore Ltd and Yamato Transport (S) Pte Ltd.
Going forward
Going forward, the cluster will continue to develop a progressive wage system to best suit the different sectors within the Transport & Logistics Services Cluster so that workers can join the wage ladder and move up the wage ladder. Working with the various partners, and with help from the Labour Movement’s Inclusive Growth Programme, the cluster’s end goal is to work towards developing this sector with a strong Singaporean Core, with better jobs and progressive wages for workers.
