SMEs turn tables on MNCs with higher pay

Singapore

IT may be high time to revise the notion that wages at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are less attractive than those at multinational corporations in Singapore.

SMEs claiming few or no manpower issues tell The Business Times that their staff are paid higher bonuses and salaries - packages 10 to 15 per cent above market rates, because they are assets to the business.

Firms such as Eighteen Chefs, Goodrich Global, Jason Marine and Neo Group say these higher pay cheques are a necessity but not the only way through which they show appreciation to their staff, who, in turn, stay longer and work harder.

An administrative employee in Goodrich Global's customer service department, with five years' experience and no diploma, earns up to S$2,500; the industry average is…