How will pay review affect lower grades?

Straits Times Forum

Jan 6, 2012

THE revised total salary for an entry level MR4 minister is reduced by 31 per cent and 37 per cent (with imputed pension), based on an average total of 20 months pay of $1.1 million (‘Ministers’ starting pay cut to less than $1.1 million’; yesterday).

 

Based on the maximum bonus example of 26.5 months in the report, the total pay of $1,457,500 would result in a reduction of 8 per cent ($1,457,500 divided by 2010 total annual salary of $1,583,900) and 17 per cent (with imputed pension).

 

Similarly, based on the maximum bonus of 26.5 months for parliamentary secretaries, the total pay of $553,850 ($418,000 divided by 20 times 26.5 months), would result in a pay increase of 20 per cent ($553,850 divided by 2010 total annual salary of $459,800) and 5 per cent (with imputed pension). This is in contrast to the reduction of 9 per cent and 21 per cent (with imputed pension) respectively, using the 20 months’ average pay example in the report.

 

So, how likely is it that the lower grades like mayors, senior parliamentary secretaries and parliamentary secretaries may receive even higher pay under the revised pay formula?

 

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.