Getting Paid

Welcome back to my lovely readers and as for new readers, welcome.

On this very special Monday, we'll talk about the working people and their pay. Of course we're not going to talk about a pay of a part-time student or freelancer. We're going to be discussing the pay of the lovely ministers in Singapore. I know this has been a long debated issue. And since 2010, lawmakers of Singapore have pushed for a pay cut. And even with the pay cut, the dear Prime Minister of Singapore has the highest paying salary of US$1.7million (S$2.2million) while the President has a pay of S$1.54million.

If you're wondering why I sound upset, let me share a little something with you.

The President of United States only gets paid US$450,000 including his expenses.

Here's a list of Prime Ministers and their pay (these countries are said to have one of the highest paid politicians):

Germany: US$298,480

South Africa: US$283,595

Canada: US$296,400

Australia: US$365,065

France: US$304,746

Ireland: US$287,900

Hong Kong: US$554,545

To quote Bloomberg, here's what is written on the January 4, 2012 news:

'“An entry-level minister will still make more than President Obama but you can’t please everyone,” said Eugene Tan, a political commentator and assistant professor of law at the Singapore Management University.'

Of course you can't please everyone. But the pleasing should be towards the people, no? Government is there not so the people could please them! It is just plain ridiculous. And when Mr Eugene Tan stated that 'an entry-level minister will still make more than President Obama', he was no where near kidding cause an entry level minister makes S$1.1 million (US$869,340) a year! That's more than two times of Obama's pay (without the expenses).

Now, enough with the minister. Let's talk about an average worker in Singapore. A full-time employee. To be fair, let's compare them to other government workers shall we? For instance, teachers. Government is the guidance to a country. Teachers are guidance to the young generations. To me, they do almost the same amount of work. Except, the ministers have more little minions to help them complete an assignment. Whereas teachers only got themselves to correct all assignments, set exam papers, teach, prepare lectures and everything else ! Teachers' starting salary is only S$39,000 (US$30,822) a year. And that is only, and only if, the teacher mentioned holds a degree with HONORS. I guess working for a private company will get you more pay than that. 

I'm not complaining about a teachers' pay being too high, but I say that's too low. I've seen how some of my teachers worked back when I go to school in Singapore. They barely even close their eyes for a 4-hour sleep! I dare say more than 75% of the ministers to take home S$1.1million a night, goes to bed happily every night. I knew politics was dirty all along. But I just wanted to make a point in this post.

The pay used to pay these entry-level ministers, is it really needed? They have yet to prove themselves useful even. And dear Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, I don't mean to insult you, but honestly, do you really not feel bad taking that much of money? And these money, are hard earned money by your people. I'm not saying you shouldn't be paid, but I'm saying, with your 36% cut, this is still a lot! People get taxed the moment they earn above S$22,000 a year of 2%. The 2% looks like a small figure. But it honestly isn't. 

Transportation in Singapore is convenient, but expensive. Food is yummy, but then again, its expensive. School is said to be subsidized, but then again, its expensive. To raise a child in Singapore is not easy. There is the Baby Bonus plan. But that only apply to the third child. The problem is, before having the third child, a family might have already break apart due to the high price of HDBs, education, etc (which I'll talk about later next week or so). 

Then, your answer to our troubles is to take a loan. Honey baby, do you really want your young generation to start the working world in debts? And when we tell you things are expensive and that the government could subsidize more, there you go increasing the price for bus fare. And when we complain about immigrants and PRs, you tell us we don't want to have children. Well, its not that we don't want to. Waitresses and waiters, to executives all wants children. But we're all stressed out for our career because we need money! We need money to first have a shelter over our heads before we could even start a family. 

Take another pay cut, put it into education, housing, or transportation, and you can and will see a difference. Maybe not instantaneously, but surely you will. 

P/S I do not dislike Singapore. I love my country more than ever, but someone gotta see the flaws and polish it to make it move forward. We can't be little minions and just follow. We study history for a reason. To learn from it. 

That's all I have for you guys today! Please share if you think its worth reading, or sound off at the comments area below. 

Have a blessed week ahead!