Low Wage in Singapore

The average monthly earnings in Singapore in the first quarter of 2008 is $4,316. In the USA and a few other countries, the minimum wage is about one-third of the average wage. If this concept is applied in Singapore, our minimum wage should be $1,430 a month.

In Korea, the minimum wage is 27% of the national average. In France, it is 66%. In Taiwan, it is 34%. In Singapore, our low income workers earn about $750 a month. This represents 17% of the national average, and is much lower than Korea.

My friend told me that three jounalist from Taiwan visited Singapore to see how the poor live. He brought them to visit some rental flats. The flats were dark as the occupants did not want to spend money on electricity and do not watch television. The journalists said, "The poor in Singapore are poorer than the poor in Taiwan. In Taiwan, the poor can afford to watch television".