Compiled by Fawwaz Baktee and Shukry Rashid
NTUC This Week team heads down to the ground to hear what union leaders think about the recently announced guidelines.
Uplifting Wages
“Essentially, we want to uplift wages and we know the way to do that is through productivity and skills development. The recommendations also focus on skills development and training to equip our workers for the future. Of course, we will continue to have emphasis on low-wage workers. Although the numbers have improved, we need to do a lot more to ensure our low-wage workers continue to get reasonable wage increases in a sustainable manner. We look forward to continue working with employers to tap on productivity funding support from the Government.” NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and National Wages Council member Cham Hui Fong
Respecting Workers
“MOM can look into incentivising more companies who honour the recommendations, especially those that focus on these low-wage workers. Unless all industry stakeholders work together and uplift the outsourced industries as a whole, it may be a long arduous journey to improve the workers' wages in a sustainable manner. Job roles and operations can be outsourced, but responsibilities cannot be outsourced. If we can start respecting these workers to be also at the heart of businesses, then we can achieve so much more for their betterment.” NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Zainal Sapari, in a Facebook post
Looking After the Sandwiched Class
“Although there are specific quantitative recommendations on wage increments for low wage workers, I urge employers to also pay particular attention to the middle income earners who are mostly PMEs (otherwise known as the 'sandwiched class') as they too have to bear the burden of the weakened global economy. This set of guidelines also apply to them if you read the guidelines closely.” NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay, in a Facebook post
Mature Workers
“I’m glad that the NWC endorsed the Tripartite Guidelines on Re-Employment of Older Employees. But I do hope that the employers don’t wait until 2017 to re-employ mature workers considering the shortage of manpower we are facing now. Also, I hope that employers do not decrease the wages and benefits when it’s time to recontract.” Building Construction And Timber Industries Employees’ Union President Nasordin Mohamad Hashim
Being Fair
The range recommended for low-wage workers is good, especially in the electronics sector because for this sector, every time when we had an adjustment, it wasn’t great. The range is something the workers can look forward to as it is better than nothing. Even if companies can’t afford to pay much, $50 is a good increment.” United Workers of Electronics & Electrical Industries General Secretary Tan Richard
Being Transparent
“It’s good to know that there is still a quantum that is given to low-wage workers as the economy isn’t doing very well. But of course, we expect some companies to give reasons stating why they are not able to afford to follow the recommendations. We are hoping that these companies are able to be transparent and share information with us when we negotiate.” Metal Industries Workers’ Union General Secretary Lim Teck Chuan
Source: NTUC This Week
