SINGAPORE: The Labour Movement will set targets for
real wage increase -- salaries that have been adjusted for
inflation -- across various clusters.
Labour chief Lim Swee Say said 10 to 12 clusters
will be identified over the next three months and initiatives will
be rolled out.
Every sector will encompass inclusiveness, with more
support for low-wage workers, back-to-work mums, and help for
workers to upgrade.
"In order for us to achieve a broad-based real wage increase, our
reach must be as wide as possible," Mr Lim said.
"We will be setting targets sector by sector. We have decided that
we will focus on some of the key clusters.
"It could be from manufacturing to services. It could cover some of
the domestic-bound sectors."
Mr Lim said this is to ensure every sector remains competitive and
the core of Singaporean workers can be strengthened.
While the change can be painful for some, Mr Lim said support will
be given to ease the pain.
He said: "As we go through change, there will be pain... I think in
the process, obviously, there will be some challenges, some
difficulties.
"With this co-funding approach, we are hoping to reduce the pain.
We will support whatever initiatives that the management partners
may have, in terms of what we have to do to enhance our
productivity, to strengthen our innovation and do our part to
mobilise the workers."
A recent NTUC "Happiness Survey" conducted in December last year
revealed financial concerns topped the list as the reason for
unhappiness.
Work-related frustration and the lack of work-life balance are
other factors that make workers unhappy.
On a happier note, four in five respondents said they are happy,
citing families, children, good health and support from extended
family and friends as the key sources of their happiness.
- CNA/wk
