Appreciating work value equitably

THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: To help uplift Singapore's lower-wage workers, does the progressive wage model (PWM) need to be supplemented by perhaps a minimum wage?

Victor Mills Chief Executive Singapore International Chamber of Commerce

A minimum wage would certainly help but it is not nearly enough. What is needed is an entirely different approach to how we view jobs. For far too long, office or white-collar jobs have attracted remuneration far above the value of many such jobs to society. This has depressed the status and perceived value of jobs essential to the functioning of any society. The pandemic continues to demonstrate the proof of this contention. We say we want a more equal society. We have to be prepared to pay for it to attract more people to the jobs which society needs.