Smile, people, smile!

Source of article:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/273593/1/.html

"Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has called on workers to keep finding new ways to keep the country special and unique.

This is to create prosperity for a new generation of Singaporeans. "

Vagueness as usual...
How exactly does uniqueness of a country make it more prosperous for us or our next generation?
Will it contribute to our individual incomes?

" PM Lee said that Singapore was undergoing a transformation....
Wages too have gone up by nearly five percent - the fastest growth in six years. "

With the recent vast increase in salaries by 20million, how am I not surprised that wage growth is now at its fastest in six years?

I don't see mine, nor the people around me, increasing that much. Is yours?

'Mr Lee said, "The most important signal is the unionists are smiling. That means everything is all right. So there is growing confidence and buzz in Singapore." '

How come I don't see the uncle clearing tables at the foodcourt; or the auntie scouting bins and tables for used drink cans; or the security guard left alone in a building at night; or even the many people I see on the way to work everyday.... smiling?

Ohhh... maybe it's just because we aren't represented by unions.
Darn, just our luck.
But we don't matter, because the PM says that everything is alright.

" Mr Lee stressed that the good news was a result of the government taking a long term view of what needs to be done, in the best interest of the people. "

And the best solution?? 2% GST increase! pay increase for the hardworking govt who are slogging for the lazy citizens. Thats why public assistance is just $290: because if you give the people too much, they won't work hard enough for themselves.

Yes, we ought to be touched.... all only for the best interest of the people =)

" Another area that needs to be looked into is wage reform."

You said it! I'm all ears....

" Mr Lee said, "We must try hard to get our wage structure right, bring the ratio down, make it job-based, competency-based, performance-based. What are you delivering, how capable are you, what responsibility do you carry. Move towards (the) paying rate for the job. "

Hmm... based on this theory, I'm gonna demand for a huge increase in my pay tomorrow, because the PM said so.

If I didnt' take on this job, I could have been a senior employee in a stat board with not just high pay but also fat bonuses and plenty of staff benefits.

And I shouldn't have to settle for working so many hours overtime, sacrificing public holidays and weekends, at no extra pay!

"The aim is to ensure that low-wage workers save for their CPF....

This is to encourage people to contribute to their Medisave and be entitled to a lucky draw. "

In this other article, we are told this

"Seng Han Thong, Assistant Secretary-General, National Trades Union Congress, said, "For low-wage workers, what they need is money in cash. So we want to get them to save for Medisave. At the same time, if you save more, you have more chances to get cash, to top up your Medisave, why not? "

You are right that low wage workers need cash. But they need cash that is absolute.
Not giving cash for a chance to get more cash.
And Medisave... aren't there many criterias that one has to meet before he/she can make use of medisave?
Apparently, if you don't fall under the 4 major illness specified by the committee, then just forget the fact that you even have money inside your medisave.

'Mr Lee said, "Singaporeans love lucky draws. So why not have a small lucky draw; if you pay your Medisave on time, then you can be eligible for (a) lucky draw and there is a prize. So everybody is happy. We get a small flutter. We are not encouraging gambling but (there is) no harm having a bit of fun..." '

Our PM understands us so well, doesn't he =)
Having fun is so much more important than paying daily bills; more important than paying for your transport to work everyday; more important than ensuring you have enough in your moveable savings to use in any emergencies.

Truly, we are a unique country.