When there is no minimum wage
By scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
October 19, 2015 8:38am CST
We do not have minimum wage in Singapore.
We are not the only country without minimum wage, since Switzerland and Norway do not have it too.
At this moment, McDonald's is paying S$5.50 per hour for the part-timer.
There are many jobs paying less than the hourly rate in McDonald's.
Many foreign laborers in Singapore are making S$2 per hour. The plus point is that they live in hostel provided by company, get free transport to go to work, and they have free uniforms and safety shoes provided.
The locals are not better off. Some cashiers in the supermarkets are making less than S$5 per hour, and the part time library shelvers are making between S$4.50 to S$5.50 per hour.
This shows that in a free market, employees must be skillful to command higher pay, and must be willing to search for better job.
https://twc2.org.sg/2015/07/28/marine-workers-earn-less-than-working-at-mcdonalds
Marine workers earn less than working at McDonald’s | TWC2 promotes equitable treatment for migrant workers in Singapore.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@kumako (60)
• Singapore, Singapore
20 Oct 15
It is really sad. Many are ripped off by money sucking employers. I used to work for a company that gives no annual leave to it's foreign skilled worker, pay them $50 every day they work. BUT applied for EP for these workers with fake information. Their salary will only enable them to apply for WP....definitely not EP.
1 person likes this
@yeezermac (145)
• Singapore, Singapore
20 Oct 15
This is capitalism at its worst. There is no consideration for how earnings compare with the cost of living. Singapore is not a cheap place to live, to begin with.
1 person likes this
@kumako (60)
• Singapore, Singapore
20 Oct 15
@yeezermac Yes, I ate with the Bangladeshi workers before. They had a huge pack of white rice and very little curry to go with. They kept inviting me to share their little curry. So I went to the foodcourt and bought back some halal meet and vege and share with them. It was a good meal! We break fast together...hahahaha.. Not that I'm a muslim but I waited for them so we could eat together :p
2 people like this
@yeezermac (145)
• Singapore, Singapore
20 Oct 15
@kumako These Bangladeshi workers really have to sacrifice a lot to survive in Singapore. My Indian handyman, too, sacificed his dignity to work in Singapore. He has a Bachelor in Engineering, and his wife has a Masters in Education. Yet, he is only a maintenance man here in Singapore.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
24 Oct 15
Wages in dollars don't tell the entire story. What percentage of your wages are required to put a roof over your head, clothes on your body, and food in your belly.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
24 Oct 15
The fact that Singapore is named the most expensive city in the world tells you something about the cost of living.
Just an example, the resale public housing transaction show that an apartment of 124 sqm cost S$920,000.
This is just for public housing with leasehold of 99 years.
