OM,
1) agreed.
2) agreed. Or why don't we try attracting Disneyland instead? I'm
still queasy over the IR.
3) well said.
4) Either do that or reduce employees' contributions when you
reduce employers' contributions. Then we would have a double fiscal
boost, and differences won't be too glaring.
5) i think you're really adopting the Straits Times attitude here.
The Indonesians and Chinese should actually earn more themselves -
it's just that they (esp. the Chinese) have govts who prefer to
allow worker exploitation. And anyway, seriously the cost of living
for these foreigners (unless they buy caskets of wine everyday) is
pretty low compared to the average Singaporean. So the Singaporean
has the right to ask for higher pay because s/he pays taxes after
all, and deserves to be able to meet the rising BASIC cost of
living. And anyway, not many sit on their butts, i think; most do
actively seek for jobs, but do not find them. Seriously, I think
that continually aiming for wage competitiveness will destroy our
society. If we forced ourselves down to the level of Indonesians
and/or Chinese, then our people's standard of living will be right
smack back in the third world, so be careful when you're asking
people to accept lower pay "for the sake of the economy".
the pikamaster