SMRT: Pay peanuts, get monkeys?

February 24, 2018

Was SMRT paying “below market” salaries?

I refer to the article “SMRT raises starting pay, improves benefits for staff following union talks” (Channel NewsAsia, Feb 24).

It states that “From Mar 1, its starting pay for engineers with “good honours degrees” will be increased by up to S$350 a month to S$3,800. Polytechnic graduates will see a starting basic pay of S$2,400, an increase of S$200, and those with Higher National Institute of Technical Education Certificate (NITEC) will see a starting basic pay of S$1,900, an increase of S$225.”

So, does it mean that it was paying “below market” rates?

For how many years have they been doing this?

By the way, how much was the salary for “non-honours” or “not good honours” degree graduates and NITEC (not higher)?

Perhaps we now have another possible clue as to why the trains keep breaking down – when you pay peanuts – you get monkeys!

Leong Sze Hian

About the Author

Leong

Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional qualifications.