MP Zainal Sapari raised the issue that there's a loophole in the
S-Pass system. We need more MPs like him who strongly supports our
local labour force! Read the article below.
Thanks to him pointing this
out, MOM is now looking into it.
http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/parliament-mom-look-potential-loophole-keeps-s-pass-basi
Parliament: MOM to look into
potential loophole that keeps S Pass basic
pay
SINGAPORE - The Manpower
Ministry will look into a potential loophole that allows employers
to depress the basic wages of skilled foreign workers, hence making
them "cheaper" than Singaporean hires, said Manpower Minister Tan
Chuan-Jin in Parliament on Tuesday.
He was responding to Mr Zainal
Sapari (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC), who had asked if last month's
increase in S Pass qualifying salary from $2,000 to $2,200 could be
met via allowances and not just basic salary. Mr Tan confirmed that
this could be done via basic salary or fixed allowances, as long as
it was a "fixed quantum that does not vary from month to
month".
Given that this was allowed,
Mr Zainal worried that employers could just increase their foreign
workers' allowances but keep basic pay low. Low basic pay would
mean a lower overtime rate and lower bonus payments, making these
foreign workers relatively cheaper than local hires, he added. He
called on the Government to plug this loophole.
Mr Tan said he was happy to
look into the specifics of this situation. "I think this is
something that we can take a look to see whether it's a loophole
that is exploited on a consistent basis and we will explore that
further."
