<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>March 11, 2009
SALARIES OF S-PASS HOLDERS
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Flexibility allowed
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I THANK Mr Bernie Utchenik for his feedback in his letter 'Allow more flexibility' (Feb 27).
On Nov 19, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and its tripartite partners - the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) - issued the Tripartite Guidelines on Managing Excess Manpower in response to the economic downturn. Among the measures recommended were the implementation of a shorter work week and temporary layoffs to help companies reduce costs and save jobs.
Following the release of the guidelines, some employers gave feedback that they were unclear as to whether the salaries of S-Pass holders could be temporarily reduced below the $1,800 threshold. The ministry has reviewed this, with inputs from the tripartite partners. In accordance with the Tripartite Guidelines, where a temporary reduction in salary is granted for genuine cases, workers may still be eligible for the S-Pass. Employers should ensure that the duration of these cost-cutting measures is in line with the recommendations under the guidelines.
Employers who wish to reduce the salaries of their S-Pass holders should write in officially to the Controller of Work Passes at [email protected].
Allowing this flexibility balances the needs of companies with the interests of workers. If the wages of the S-Pass holders need to be adjusted downwards beyond the temporary period, employers should consider downgrading their S-Pass holders to Work Permit status, or turn to alternative sources of manpower.
We have spoken to Mr Utchenik and clarified the matter. Farah Abdul Rahim (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
for Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Manpower
SALARIES OF S-PASS HOLDERS
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Flexibility allowed
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I THANK Mr Bernie Utchenik for his feedback in his letter 'Allow more flexibility' (Feb 27).
On Nov 19, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and its tripartite partners - the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) - issued the Tripartite Guidelines on Managing Excess Manpower in response to the economic downturn. Among the measures recommended were the implementation of a shorter work week and temporary layoffs to help companies reduce costs and save jobs.
Following the release of the guidelines, some employers gave feedback that they were unclear as to whether the salaries of S-Pass holders could be temporarily reduced below the $1,800 threshold. The ministry has reviewed this, with inputs from the tripartite partners. In accordance with the Tripartite Guidelines, where a temporary reduction in salary is granted for genuine cases, workers may still be eligible for the S-Pass. Employers should ensure that the duration of these cost-cutting measures is in line with the recommendations under the guidelines.
Employers who wish to reduce the salaries of their S-Pass holders should write in officially to the Controller of Work Passes at [email protected].
Allowing this flexibility balances the needs of companies with the interests of workers. If the wages of the S-Pass holders need to be adjusted downwards beyond the temporary period, employers should consider downgrading their S-Pass holders to Work Permit status, or turn to alternative sources of manpower.
We have spoken to Mr Utchenik and clarified the matter. Farah Abdul Rahim (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
for Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Manpower
