Wages rising faster than at any time since 2000

So the wages are rising faster than anything in Singapore since 2000? And just a few days ago, the Straits Times reported on increased inflation. Is that a justification for the inflation? I wonder....

One of the things that we must look into is: where did Ministry of Manpower Labor derive this statistic? If one is talking about the top echelons, sure. Top CEOs are paid exorbitant bonuses and salaries, even Warren Buffet view it with much negativity. How on earth HP finds the justification for 'compensating' ex-CEO Carly Fiorina by sacking her for the slowed growth of HP during her tenure with US$21 million in cash is beyond me or any sense of logic. And how can mere singaporeans forget the millions paid to the government and the increases for civil servants? If such payments are taken into considerations, of course wages are rising.

Why would the paper not report on the other side of the coin where the less privileged of the society are under threat from globalization on downward pressure on their wages? The Straits Times can afford to be more objective.

And the recent price increase in bus fares--another controversial topic. While there is nothing wrong with businesses wanting more profits (we live in a capitalist world after all), the social question we need to ask is: how much is enough? Microsoft irks many with their humongous profits that got many competitors jealous many years ago (and still do now). And the monopoly status SBS enjoys (no, SMART is under the same umbrella if you ask me. The bus routes never duplicate citing efficiency in using resource as a reason)does not help much in convincing singaporeans on the increase.

The poor would view the rich as being greedy in wanting more profits at their expense. One year of voucher for a permanent increase? Who are they gonna fool? The thing is, the price increase is never consistent with the service standards. Buses are slow to arrive (the longest I have ever waited is 1 hr in 64km square Singapore), cramp to the brim (SBS wanna optimize their resources at the citizen's discomfort?), and poor facilities. While they blame external factors, I do not see how they plan to tackle these problems.

If you do not believe me, all you have to do is to take a few buses at any point in time and look closely. Dusty window panels, falling seats, screws falling apart, and (this irks me the most) dripping air-conditioners especially in rainy days. The worst I've ever seen is a 'free-flow' dripping air-conditioned bus in a stormy day. It's like raining in the bus as well. So much for 'first-class' transportation in Singapore huh? While they love to compare to higher cost cities such as London, USA and even Hong Kong and Taiwan, which also command higher salaries, they NEVER did compare with cheaper cities like Thailand and Malaysia.

Increase fares? Please rise standards of service as well.