Extend minimum wage to more sectors, cut foreign worker levies
WIS deemed more economically efficient, but panel member says dignity gained may be worth the efficiency lost
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THE minimum wage that has been announced for cleaners and security guards should be gradually extended to other jobs too, participants of BT's Pre-Budget Roundtable 2015 agreed. But there was some debate on whether the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS), which also serves to lift the incomes of low-income Singaporeans, is better than a minimum wage.
Laurence Lien, former Nominated Member of Parliament and Lien Foundation chairman, was in favour of expanding the "minimum wage" in place in the cleaning and security sectors, to more occupations. "It doesn't have to be across the board. Spread it slowly . . . If you look at the impact on the economy, if you improve (a cleaner's) wage from S$1,000 to S$1,200 . . . it's not going to cripple your business," he said.
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