Are Singapore salaries based on one's country of citizenship

[mapleleaf]

Hi all,
Just wondering if Singapore salaries are based on the Education/Skill/experience of the individual or is it based on the country of citizenship, similar to what happens in the Middle East?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Depends on whether you are from a Western country or from a "Underdeveloped" Asian or middle eastern country.

[mapleleaf]

hmmm ok....that creates an artificial social structure which breeds racists. I have seen that in the middle east, I hope that does not happen in Singapore. Has this always been the case in Singapore?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Yep & Yep.

[nakatago]

Ditto.....

[JR8]

hmmm ok....that creates an artificial social structure which breeds racists.

You mean similar to the caste system in India? And let's not forget that the African slavers at the point of origin were black too.

[Wd40]

Hi all,
Just wondering if Singapore salaries are based on the Education/Skill/experience of the individual or is it based on the country of citizenship, similar to what happens in the Middle East?

I would say, this is not such a big issue in Singapore. Typically the jobs that asians do and westerners do are different and hence the difference in salaries. However if an Asian takes up a high end role, then salary shouldnt be too different especially if it is a global MNC. Middle east is different because there you are taking about companies owned by sheiks, who keep their employees passport as ransom so that they dont quit? Sorry but Middle East is in a league of its own on that regard.

[mapleleaf]

Hi all,
Just wondering if Singapore salaries are based on the Education/Skill/experience of the individual or is it based on the country of citizenship, similar to what happens in the Middle East?

I would say, this is not such a big issue in Singapore. Typically the jobs that asians do and westerners do are different and hence the difference in salaries. However if an Asian takes up a high end role, then salary shouldnt be too different especially if it is a global MNC. Middle east is different because there you are taking about companies owned by sheiks, who keep their employees passport as ransom so that they dont quit? Sorry but Middle East is in a league of its own on that regard.

awesome! that's good to know

[mapleleaf]

hmmm ok....that creates an artificial social structure which breeds racists.

You mean similar to the caste system in India? And let's not forget that the African slavers at the point of origin were black too.

This is 2012!! We should be able to do better than that, I am sure you agree

[JR8]

hmmm ok....that creates an artificial social structure which breeds racists.

You mean similar to the caste system in India? And let's not forget that the African slavers at the point of origin were black too.

This is 2012!! We should be able to do better than that, I am sure you agree

I'm too pragmatic to blue-sky what 'we should do'.

Anyway, have you ever been to Singapore. You know met the people, met their domestic serfs?

[the lynx]

Hi all,
Just wondering if Singapore salaries are based on the Education/Skill/experience of the individual or is it based on the country of citizenship, similar to what happens in the Middle East?

Not sure which industry you're looking at but it depends on your role, your source of qualifications and your employer.

For example, a chemist with qualifications from the Philippines in a SME makes half of what a chemist with qualifications from UK in a MNC here. And the higher rung you occupy in your vocation, the less is the disparity.

So to up your chances, work in a MNC on a higher role with qualifications from first-world countries (not distance learning).

I know it sucks but this is Singapore.

[mapleleaf]

You mean similar to the caste system in India? And let's not forget that the African slavers at the point of origin were black too.

This is 2012!! We should be able to do better than that, I am sure you agree

I'm too pragmatic to blue-sky what 'we should do'.

Anyway, have you ever been to Singapore. You know met the people, met their domestic serfs?

Yes, I have been to Singapore, but I miss your point. Please explain.

[JR8]

Yes, I have been to Singapore, but I miss your point. Please explain.

Nope, you completely missed the point first time around (willfully or otherwise), and life is too short.

[sundaymorningstaple]

What he is saying is basically what I said in two words in my first reply. If you compare apples to apples, Asians are "generally" going to earn less that westerners. However, in recent years, the lines are blurring somewhat in as much as Asian (some anyway) are seeing higher salaries while westerners are seeing less perks which is starting to level out the field somewhat. A trip here wouldn't be a bad idea.

[rajagainstthemachine]

It depends on your employer. several companies prefer to pay higher salaries to people from the west than their asian counterparts.
although this distinction is starting to blur nowadays.