T.Morgan, president of security association in singapore IS AGAINST
ntuc's move to implement progressive wage model in the security
sector.
Guards only earn basic $800 while cleaners now $1000 thanks to the
progressive wage model that is licensed in the cleaning sector.
Cleaners have career paths, skills upgrading etc. What about
guards? They earn little and still have to work
OT.
What is progressive wage model? It is a minimum wage ladder that
provides beyond a minimum wage point and have a real career path
for low-wage workers.
T.Morgan said that raising the basic monthly pay of security guards
would balloon a firm's wage bill because the bulk of a guard's pay
comes from overtime calculated from basic
pay.
This is NONSENSICAL. In the first place, why is the bulk of pay
coming from OT??? Is that even fair for workers? Everyone needs
rest and just because they are low-wage workers, does not mean that
they can be exploited.
Of course T.Morgan thinks for companies. Companies don't want to
pay more cos they see Guards do 'nothing'. Guards don't want do
more cos they are paid 'nothing'. Someone gotta make the 1st move.
Now, who is brave enough?
You pay peanuts u get monkeys.. U expect an uncle to risk his life
and limb to protect your property for 600 to 800 per month before
OT? The security uncles are only human.
Buyers shouldn't expect to pay lowly for security services any
more. The certification of the firms and the guards meant that they
are better trained than before. In addition, buyers ought to know
the guards are protecting their assets and hence deserve to be paid
higher wages.
Perceptions gotta change. It's great that ntuc is in talks with the
security associations. But best is for the government to license
progressive wage model across the security sector. Employers are
not compelled to adopt the recommended starting wages unless these
are also legislated.
- feeling annoyed 