$3.2 million to recruit 560 bus drivers, but will it work?
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For the first time, the two public transport - SMRT and SBS Transit have come together to organise a job fair to attract and train about 280 Singaporean bus drivers.
They are tapping $3.2 million worth in SPUR funding in the process, and plans to use it over the next two years to recruit 560 local bus drivers in all.
Geraldine Soh finds out if locals will take the bait.
The basic monthly pay is between $1,000 to $1,200.
But by working overtime, that could go up to between $1,700 and $2,500, excluding travel benefits and bonuses.
The low pay is not the only reason why locals shun the job.
President of the National Transport Workers' Union Lau Lye Hock.
"Our members have to get up early in the morning 2am to prepare for their early shift. And when they do the afternoon shift, they end late, these are the two challenges."
Mr Lau says the union is trying to negotiate for a higher starting pay and more flexible working hours for the nearly 7,000 public bus drivers, most of who are their members.
With the transport companies facing greater pressure to increase bus service frequencies, and plans to expand their fleet, SMRT Corporation's President and CEO Saw Phaik Hwa says they've had to schedule in more overtime work for their current drivers.
Either this, or resort to hiring foreigners.
A quarter of the SMRT's 1,700 bus drivers are Singaporeans, the rest are PRs, Malaysians or Chinese nationals.
At SBS Transit, 40 percent of their 5,200 bus drivers are Singaporeans.
Friday's job fair, with 280 vacancies attracted 77 job seekers in the first few hours.
220 had initially registered, but after an industry briefing and screening programme, the number was whittled down.
35-year-old R Kannan was among the job seekers.
The science degree holder chose SMRT over SBS Transit, citing the five-day work week and higher starting salary as the main draw.
He says at a job fair some months back, SBS Transit had offered only $1,000 in monthly starting pay for five-and-a-half-days of work.
"You must be interested in the work, but you must earn money also right? You no money how can?"
SMRT CEO Saw Phaik Hwa:
"There's no end to more salary being more attractive. I think the reality is what the industry can bear and be competitive for the great of the people we're employing. Several years back we started on a five-day week. I think it's quite unheard of, which is really quite cutting-edge."
SBS Transit's Executive Director Gan Juay Kiat.
"But captains, they would have been scheduled daily small amount of overtime. We're very mindful to make sure they don't exceed the law of 72 hours per month. Our priority is to recruit more Singaporeans and we constantly review our salary packages, to make sure it's market competitive."
52-year-old Ismail bin Hassan, says he's prepared to work overtime for $1,500 as it offers more stability than his taxi driving stint.
Compared with his previous job as an operation technician, $1,200 in starting pay is also much better.
"In present situation got no choice because for us above 50 they ask our age then they call us back but they never call back so it's very make you feel very down. I'm prepared if i don't get this I will go back to driving taxi. "
Mr Ismail is among the 30 applicants who got the job of a bus driver.
--938Live
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I personally feel that $1200 for starting pay is still pretty low...
But low pay is nonetheless better than no pay....
I think this job will be good for supplementary income rather than for main income.
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Wha lau nowadays job market are really bad, even a degree holder also come for interview for bus captain!
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this would teach all the degree holder a lesson.
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My original ambition was a bus-driver. I might still consider being a bus captain in time to come.
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Originally posted by youyayu: this would teach all the degree holder a lesson.
what kinda lesson..???and god knows what kinda cock 3rd tier degree he is holding....
nowadays so many pple claim to have degrees....
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I will not become a Bus captain even I have a degree. I go work for ComfrtDelgro as engineer.
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Wah...good aspirations.. work hard lo...
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Not easy, trust me. Fresh graduate they confirm won't entertain you want for this bad period.
Unless you got more than 3-5 years work experience or during your NS time is a technician in some army maintenance base/workshop.
Better still if you got flying colour in your diploma/degree transcript.