... nin-nia eh... is this what they call a break through or
success in helping lower wage workers??? 20 firms out of how many
in Singapore??
... always before their policy is cooked, they bring out for
people to eat...!
=======================================================
20 firms pledge to give one-off payout to help workers
cope with inflation
By Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 29 May 2008 1946
hrs
SINGAPORE: About 20 companies have decided to adopt the National
Wages Council's recommendation to give their rank-and-file
employees a one-off lump sum payment to help them cope with
inflation.
"I am happy to say that in the next couple of weeks, we expect
to see a few more companies following suit," said labour chief Lim
Swee Say.
Taking the lead was the government, Singapore's largest
employer. It said on Wednesday that civil servants will receive a
one-off payment of $100 to $300 along with their mid-year bonus of
a half-month's pay in July.
Mr Lim, the NTUC Secretary General, also said some companies
have agreed with their unions on the amount of the one-off
payment.
He said the labour movement will not dictate the quantum of the
payouts.
Mr Lim said: "Most of them... target their workers earning below
the median salary - S$2,500 and below. In some cases, they are
providing a one-off payment ranging from S$200-S$500.
"As far as the NTUC is concerned, we do not dictate a specific
number, because at the end of the day, it depends, firstly, on the
affordability of the companies, and how much the companies
empathise and sympathise with the low-wage workers.
"The least the employers can do is to show their sincerity and
do whatever they can. The more they can afford... give more. The
less they can afford... give less. But as my union leader says,
something is better than nothing." - CNA/ir
