Workers may be in for a special treat this year after unions and employers united to urge companies to show them special recognition, whether in cash or kind, in celebration of Singapore's 50 years of independence.
National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) assistant secretary- general Cham Hui Fong yesterday called on companies that are doing well to reward workers for their contributions towards Singapore's economic progress.
Speaking at a media briefing on the National Wages Council's annual wage guidelines for the year ahead, NTUC president Diana Chia said: "There is a tripartite consensus that we should try to support an SG50 bonus for companies that can afford it."
Singapore National Employers Federation president Robert Yap also threw his support behind the idea. He said his organisation "would like to encourage companies that do well to recognise the contributions of their employees in their own ways".
He also noted that DBS Bank has given all employees ranked vice-president and below a $1,000 cash bonus, while SMRT is giving all 8,400 employees $500 worth of shopping vouchers.
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NTUC's social enterprises will give vouchers to their staff. For example, NTUC FairPrice said its almost 10,000 employees will receive vouchers worth $200 for non-executives and $100 for executives.
At least two other big local companies in the telecommunications and banking sectors told The Straits Times that they would be giving something to their workers.
The Government is considering appropriate ways to recognise public officers' contributions, said Manpower Ministry permanent secretary Loh Khum Yean.
Other employer groups and union leaders supported the move.
"Every company in Singapore which has benefited from (the country's) business-friendly environment for the last 50 years will be keen to celebrate with the nation," said Mr Victor Mills, chief executive of the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce.
United Workers of Electronics & Electrical Industries general secretary Richard Tan said he suggested to employers under his union that they give workers cash, additional bonuses or vouchers.
However, smaller firms may find it hard to follow the trend.
Seng Heng Engineering managing director Jackie Lau, 32, said: "The economic climate is not very stable, so (SMEs) may find it harder to put aside the money.
"It can always be considered when the prospects are brighter."
This article was first published on May 30, 2015.
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