THE current foreign exchange rate that currently favours the Singapore dollar by a ratio of more than 1:3 against the ringgit (S$1=RM3.22) has obviously become a windfall for Malaysian blue collar workers in the Lion’s Republic.
But true grit conquers to even earn a slice of that amount.
Sin Chew Daily recently highlighted TikToker @ezzaiky7 who shared that despite the hardship and social stigma, it was worthwhile to be a garbage disposal worker in Singapore because he can earn around RM6,000 (S$1,870) to RM9,600 (S$2,980) once his salary is converted from the Singapore dollar to ringgit.
@ezzaiky7 who resides in Johor Bahru with his family but commutes between Malaysia and Singapore for his work further shared that life in Singapore is not as good as he had imagined but he is nevertheless grateful for having a stable job and feels that he should complain less.
In response to a comment that claimed that the average pay in Malaysia is higher than in Singapore (which is not the case as Malaysia’s basic salary which came into effect on May 1 is set at RM1,500 while Singapore has no minimum wage laws or regulations), @ezzaiky7 replied that people with high salaries in Malaysia are those with high education.
“But I’m not well-educated … do let me know of places that still offer high salaries. I want to know how it feels like living and working to live in my own country with a salary of RM8,000, RM9,000 or RM7,000,” he justified.
“I know rezeki (sustenance) is available anywhere – both in Malaysia and in Singapore – but looks like mine is here (in Singapore). So I just accept although I need to toughen up, I’ve to face the jam (probably the morning exodus along the Causeway) but I’ve no choice. Also, I can’t complain much because I’m blessed with a job.”
In a separate video clip, @ezzaiky7 shared how he ended up as a garbage collector in Singapore: “I’ve tried working in a factory but the job didn’t suit me as I’m a person who cannot sit still (thus making him feel sleepy and weak) … I guess this is because I was so used to working outdoor like being a (product delivery) rider.”
According to the Mothership Singapore news portal, Singapore’s Manpower Ministry had in January this year announced that a six-year schedule of sustained Progressive Wage Model (PWM) wage increases from 2023 to 2028 for waste management workers will be implemented beginning from July 1, 2023.
Under this schedule, the monthly baseline wage of an entry-level waste collection crew worker is expected to increase from S$2,210 (RM7,118) in 2023 to S$3,260 (RM10,500) in 2028.
The PWM covers Singapore citizens and Singapore permanent residents (PRs) in the sectoral progressive wages for cleaning, security and landscape. – Aug 24, 2022
Main photo credit: Today Online
