SAF: Stingy and Fumbling?
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SAF: Stingy And Fumbling?
Objective:
To provide NSmen a more equitable remuneration/ allowance package as the current package is outdated, antiquated and thus plain unfair to unemployed NSmen.
Background:
According to 'http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/topics/nsmen/admin/PayMatters.html ',
“As an Operationally Ready NSman, you will receive Service Pay for the entire period of NS activity that you attend. An NSman who suffers a loss in his civilian income as a result of having to attend NS activities can claim make-up pay (MUP) (i.e. the difference between employment income and service pay) from MINDEF.”However, I believe that this policy is flawed in that it excessively penalizes certain groups of NSmen such as:
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'NSman who is employed and on leave/no pay leave during NS training.'
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'NSman who is unemployed or is a student.'
SAF's argument being:
“NSman is not eligible to claim make-up pay, as he does not suffer any loss in civilian income during the period of his NS training. He will be paid service pay.”
The Flaw:
It is a flawed argument that NSmen service pay should equal NSF service pay.
The flaw being the omitted consideration that reservist activities are by nature interruptive, restrictive and demanding both physically and mentally, and the fact that private employment income is often a flawed estimate of the NSman's national service contribution.
Many thus end up underpaid/ overpaid simply by virtue of their life circumstance. This is plain unfair given the fact that all NSmen need comply to the same, exacting physical and mental requirements.
Evidence of the NSmen's demoralization, dissatisfaction with the current system is plain to see on the internet. Public forums that reflect popular mentality towards seeking medical excuse towards 'earning' vocation and deployment downgrades remain an embarrassment.
'Medical FAQs', http://www.sgforums.com/forums/1390/topics/79306 , with over 1,800 posts since 2004 exists to help the poor, uninformed NSman navigate his way the ever onerous and demanding 'National Service Training System (NSTS)':
National Service Training System http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/topics/nsmen/opsready/NSTS.html:
“Before each ICT, you should train yourself up physically and be mentally prepared for the tough training that you are to undergo. If you fail to meet the required performance standards, you will be subjected to corrective training e.g. Your Unit Commander may decide to serve you additional NS call-up for Make-up Training (MUT).... ”
- Need I say more?
'In Defense of Defense' http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=16842.1: details a citizen soldier's experiences and observations. (Jan09)
On national service : http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=12474.1 – reflections upon completion of one's NS training cycle. (Nov08)
'What the Gahmen owes you for NS' : http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=16842.1 a tongue in cheek description of 'list of NSF jobs and their real world equivalent'. (Nov08)
My Suggestion:
The Service pay of NSmen should equal what regulars of similar rank , vocation and appointment should earn (pro-rata) as the rigors of reservist training equal or exceed that which a regular soldier in such vocation faces. One might argue for MUP to be reduced for high income earners to balance costs but rumor I last heard was that SAF tries not to recall high income NSmen anyway.
Conclusions:
Sure, defense budget may go up, but our gov has never been one to stint on it any way; maybe the way out is for regular officers to improve their leadership and communication abilities, so reservist's training can be more effectively run.
Perhaps more a carrot then a stick approach should be used now that NSmen and their families are more aware of their rights and responsibilities as a recent parliamentary debates and court rulings show (below); fair reimbursement shouldn't only apply to dead or injured servicemen.
At least, such a peg method for 'service pay' will motivate more low education holders to strive during their NSF period, knowing that they won't be prejudiced against when called up during their later study/ work periods. It might in fact mean more work and more pay for their 2 weeks reservist stint, a welcome break to celebrate one's citizenry responsibilities. (**Failure to perform to standard would entail MUT paid at NSF service pay rates**).
Reply by Minister Teo Chee Hean on Compensation for Dead and Injured Servicemen: http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2007/jul/17jul07_nr.html : “For the additional lump sum compensation, MINDEF uses the principles applied by civil courts to determine compensation amounts. This is a fair system based on prevailing practices and awards. ”
Parents: It was our last resort (TNP:23.2.09): http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20090223-123888.html, 'Many people have told us that we're very brave to sue the Government,' Madam Hor, a bank teller, said in Mandarin, 'especially when we're not rich. But I believe anyone in our position would have done the same.
Have a nice day :).
Adapted from http://www.youngpap.org.sg/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=24863 , Feedback here, Thanks :).
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your point is?
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Originally posted by NG QIBO AARON AUBREY:
your point is?
If U have time read 'Objective:'
If no time, read under heading 'My Suggestion:'
:).
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Originally posted by enblockvictim:
If U have time read 'Objective:'
If no time, read under heading 'My Suggestion:'
:).
and ur point is?
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Originally posted by alvin-ncs:
and ur point is?
To access paper, READ the headings.
This is how a long article reads, viz headings and paragraphs...
urgh.
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Seriously, ur point is ? ? ?
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So should we scrap NS?
Is that your point?
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Originally posted by enblockvictim:
To access paper, READ the headings.
This is how a long article reads, viz headings and paragraphs...
urgh.
i still dont understand...
mind explaining it to me?
thanks arghhh...
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Oh yah, you mean if you are unemployed, you don't get a cent from SAF?
Then during this recession, all the unemployed male going for reservist will essentially have no money paid to them for serving the nation?
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No, it means you get NSF pay during your reservist period if you are unemployed or studying. Pro-Rated. ie: NSF 3SG gets 750 per month, NSman 3SG 2 weeks ICT-= 750/2=375
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Originally posted by Man!x:
No, it means you get NSF pay during your reservist period if you are unemployed or studying. Pro-Rated. ie: NSF 3SG gets 750 per month, NSman 3SG 2 weeks ICT-= 750/2=375
and for those still employed, they can file a make up claim to get the difference in income between civilian pay and reservist pay... -
One thing is clear and that is, they are willing lose the money to foreigners, gambling away, S$100,000,000,000.00 (100 billion) than to pay National Service men, expected to die for the country, a decent salary, while they take massive amount of public money for their own pockets.
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so is it fair we call ouselves a global workforce?
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global workforce?
Definition please.
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no point lei..
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Originally posted by enblockvictim:
SAF: Stingy And Fumbling?
Objective:
To provide NSmen a more equitable remuneration/ allowance package as the current package is outdated, antiquated and thus plain unfair to unemployed NSmen.
Background:
According to 'http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/topics/nsmen/admin/PayMatters.html ',
“As an Operationally Ready NSman, you will receive Service Pay for the entire period of NS activity that you attend. An NSman who suffers a loss in his civilian income as a result of having to attend NS activities can claim make-up pay (MUP) (i.e. the difference between employment income and service pay) from MINDEF.”However, I believe that this policy is flawed in that it excessively penalizes certain groups of NSmen such as:
-
'NSman who is employed and on leave/no pay leave during NS training.'
-
'NSman who is unemployed or is a student.'
SAF's argument being:
“NSman is not eligible to claim make-up pay, as he does not suffer any loss in civilian income during the period of his NS training. He will be paid service pay.”
The Flaw:
It is a flawed argument that NSmen service pay should equal NSF service pay.
The flaw being the omitted consideration that reservist activities are by nature interruptive, restrictive and demanding both physically and mentally, and the fact that private employment income is often a flawed estimate of the NSman's national service contribution.
Many thus end up underpaid/ overpaid simply by virtue of their life circumstance. This is plain unfair given the fact that all NSmen need comply to the same, exacting physical and mental requirements.
Evidence of the NSmen's demoralization, dissatisfaction with the current system is plain to see on the internet. Public forums that reflect popular mentality towards seeking medical excuse towards 'earning' vocation and deployment downgrades remain an embarrassment.
'Medical FAQs', http://www.sgforums.com/forums/1390/topics/79306 , with over 1,800 posts since 2004 exists to help the poor, uninformed NSman navigate his way the ever onerous and demanding 'National Service Training System (NSTS)':
National Service Training System http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/topics/nsmen/opsready/NSTS.html:
“Before each ICT, you should train yourself up physically and be mentally prepared for the tough training that you are to undergo. If you fail to meet the required performance standards, you will be subjected to corrective training e.g. Your Unit Commander may decide to serve you additional NS call-up for Make-up Training (MUT).... ”
- Need I say more?
'In Defense of Defense' http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=16842.1: details a citizen soldier's experiences and observations. (Jan09)
On national service : http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=12474.1 – reflections upon completion of one's NS training cycle. (Nov08)
'What the Gahmen owes you for NS' : http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=16842.1 a tongue in cheek description of 'list of NSF jobs and their real world equivalent'. (Nov08)
My Suggestion:
The Service pay of NSmen should equal what regulars of similar rank , vocation and appointment should earn (pro-rata) as the rigors of reservist training equal or exceed that which a regular soldier in such vocation faces. One might argue for MUP to be reduced for high income earners to balance costs but rumor I last heard was that SAF tries not to recall high income NSmen anyway.
Conclusions:
Sure, defense budget may go up, but our gov has never been one to stint on it any way; maybe the way out is for regular officers to improve their leadership and communication abilities, so reservist's training can be more effectively run.
Perhaps more a carrot then a stick approach should be used now that NSmen and their families are more aware of their rights and responsibilities as a recent parliamentary debates and court rulings show (below); fair reimbursement shouldn't only apply to dead or injured servicemen.
At least, such a peg method for 'service pay' will motivate more low education holders to strive during their NSF period, knowing that they won't be prejudiced against when called up during their later study/ work periods. It might in fact mean more work and more pay for their 2 weeks reservist stint, a welcome break to celebrate one's citizenry responsibilities. (**Failure to perform to standard would entail MUT paid at NSF service pay rates**).
Reply by Minister Teo Chee Hean on Compensation for Dead and Injured Servicemen: http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2007/jul/17jul07_nr.html : “For the additional lump sum compensation, MINDEF uses the principles applied by civil courts to determine compensation amounts. This is a fair system based on prevailing practices and awards. ”
Parents: It was our last resort (TNP:23.2.09): http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20090223-123888.html, 'Many people have told us that we're very brave to sue the Government,' Madam Hor, a bank teller, said in Mandarin, 'especially when we're not rich. But I believe anyone in our position would have done the same.
Have a nice day :).
Adapted from http://www.youngpap.org.sg/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=24863 , Feedback here, Thanks :).
And your point is?
-