In term of net wages, yes, a local can get less, cos employer
are wary of his CPF contribution, given a foreign taking 1.8k and a
singapore taking 2.0k, the take home for foreigner is 1.8k and the
singaporeans is abt 1.6k, so you think who earn real wages
more???
For local workers, the concern is CPF contribution, pregnancy (4
months' maternity leave), NS (reservist, IPPT, RT), higher expected
salary, greater turnover when times are good
For foreigners, the concerns are housing allowance, foreign
worker levy.
(For maids there are other concerns such as pregnancy, maid
absconding etc but those do not apply to other foreign
workers).
How will the employer decide? How will you decide if you were
the employer?