Growing Economy Best Way To Boost Wages

02 May 2013

Growing the economy is the best way to help raise wages for the Singaporean worker, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday as he cautioned against an over-reliance on government handouts or protection as the way forward.

Singapore thus needs to attract quality investments that create better jobs, restructure its economy by raising productivity, and invest in the future, he said at the annual May Day Rally.

He was speaking to 1,600 union leaders and guests gathered at the National Trades Union Congress' Downtown East Leisure Centre, after labour chief Lim Swee Say had given the labour movement's annual report card.

Wages were clearly a key concern among those present and they applauded when Mr Lee quoted Amalgamated Union of Public Daily Rated Workers general secretary G. Muthukumarasamy telling him over lunch last month: "The most important thing workers want is just raise our wages."

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/pm-growing-economy-best-way-boost-wages-20130502