climbing coconut tree

I like the post on yahoo that highlighted the guidelines nwc recommended on sustainable wages.

Quoting from yahoo news: “The National Wages Council (NWC) is recommending companies to award sustainable wage increases to employees, taking into account their performance and prospects.”

Scrolling downwards you will find a whole list of comments posted by the public.

Remuneration is a weird thing. I never understand how management places a value on skills and qualification. It differs from company to company, industry to industry.

There will always be a wage disparity. People who can afford 7series BMWs while others cram on public transport.

Having a chance to understand business situation from the management in my company, one issue that plagues the company is manpower/wages. If the company is doing fantastic, the company may not hesitate as much to rewards its staff. However, if the company’s survival falls into the doldrums, then paying as much will only add to the financial burden on the company. But if the company doesn’t pay, people leave and it is hard to hire replacement.

People always compare. Like I will compare my package with my friends’. Wow. Variable bonus of x months. Wow allowances of $X00.

Who doesn’t want more? But what makes us worthy to have more?

So while I wish I could earn more, I also understand the get more means I must have the necessary skill set and experience to command that. If I am going to stay the same, refuse to learn and take up more, I certainly don’t think the management will find it justifiable to pay me more. While we lament why pay has stayed relatively the same for years, maybe it’s also time we examined if we have made much effort to move ourselves one step ahead to deserve more.

It’s a weird thing to see in the economy. While some lament they struggle to pay off the loans of their hdb, I see a long queue going into lv boutique. I see more bmws on the road than a decade ago. Perhaps the crux is the distribution of income. Wage disparity? Rich are getting richer. Poor are getting poorer. How to tip the balance over? We see exponential increase in taxes on higher income earners. But we don’t see very significant balancing.

Life is never fair, that’s the universal truth.

For dearie and I, we live by simple principles. Live within our means. Keep improving and moving forward. Keep learning. Save more. And treasure the time we have with our loved ones.

I like to envisage myself underneath a tall coconut tree. People are looking and pointing at the coconuts saying, “waaa..coconut. weather so hot. Can drink one so shiok.” Sure, I will like to enjoy a nice coconut drink too. But instead of looking and pointing, I want to start climbing up the tree. I believe, slowly, I will get to it. =)