Jobless Joe : " I rather drive my taxi "
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I was around 21 and fresh out from NS looking for a job in 1994. Realising that I am just armed with an ‘O’ level cert and job opportunities are limited I decided to go for an apprenticeship with an engineering company for an ITE cert in NTC 2.
The apprenticeship runs for 3 years and I was supposed to serve another year bond. I was earning a base salary of $600.Better than nothing. I also concurrently underwent an electrical engineering diploma course at SP on my own time and expenses. After completing my apprenticeship I was promoted to technician. My last drawn pay in this company was $1200.
Around 2000, I left for another company with a remuneration of $2500. My post then was a project supervisor. Life was looking good for me and I was looking forward to receiving my diploma and a possible promotion. Alas my diploma came but the promotion no, though in all fairness to the company I did receive a slight pay increment. In 2004 I left for another company and drawing a base salary of $4000 as a project engineer. I was on a two year contract with this company and my contract was extended for another two years. I was very happy there and getting along nicely with everyone. Unfortunately in 2008 my contract was not renewed as the company claim that it had lost out on a major tender, though some of my foreign colleagues are still there till now.
I started looking for a job after a few months break as I thought I need a break after working nearly 13 to 14 years. Still had some savings left.I am also not unduly worried as I had received my taxi licence a few years back. Till now I always think that this is the best course I had ever went to.
As my skill developed over the years was specific and specialised, and with more than 10 years in the industry, I was quite confident of landing a job.Meanwhile I drove cab. I started applying for jobs in 2009 and received numerous offers. Duly I went for interviews. Nearly very company offered me a position. But none of the them can match my previous pay or at least be close to it. This is the latest two offers that I got $1900 and $1700 for the same position as project engineer. That was about 1 year ago. The reason they told me is that it is the market rate. What market rate? This is worse than a fresh poly grad. Then it dawn on me is also the FT rate. I gave up competing with them.
I’ve got a mortgage to settle and a family to feed. I had given up applying for a job now. I am still happily driving my cab. Who says that Singaporeans are afraid of hard work. So I don’t really know what is the govt talking about upgrading. I believe I had done my fair share of upgrading and my pay seems to be downgrading. What is that upgrading for? As you can see I am no slouch at following the PAP command of upgrading. Look at these records, NTC 2, diploma, construction supervisor cert and numerous other certs all obtained while working and raising a family. Just felt that my life and time had been wasted on all this nonsense course except the taxi one. This is just nonsense from the better, cheaper, faster minister who had been spouting the upgrading mantra.
As the GE is coming, I have been thinking that if the MP comes to my house for visits, I will paste all my certs on the front door and ask him what is the worth of all these certs that I have worked so hard for. If he replies salary is based on market rate, I will then give him all my certs to be used as toilet paper.
By the way, my Kaki Bukit ward had been moved from Marine Parade to Aljunied. Gerrymandering or not, I definitely know where my vote is going to. And I will still rather drive my taxi.
Jobless Joe
Courtesy of taxiuncle.com
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See what PAP has done to our youth ? -
bro pool,
My life story is the same as him. Like the writer I came from the construction background with a diploma from SP. Nowadays the Phinoys, Indians, Bangla and China engineers are replacing the Singaporean. I quit the bz 10 years ago and I am happy driving my taxi.
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Not much worries , we are happy now , that is what matter most .
Being happy....
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Looked like i am not the only one happy driving a cab .
And we are talking about just 2 here , both Diplomas Holder , now happily driving a cab .
What's there for me to complaint ? I am just a O Level ..... no complaints .
After seeing both Diplomas being so happy in life , being just a freaking O level , i shall not complaint much .
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Me leh?? me happy or yao u say pool?? :P
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after reading,i felt lucky as i am only from "woodbridge"
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man should have fought to the end and not get married.his life would be different then.he should by right be inthe tech line with or without a job emplou=yment....via business owner,,,overseas business.......etc etc.
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I was thinking, there would be 2 scenarios in the future,
1) No change from current policy: TD age will be younger, qualifications will be higher, coz of the competition from FTs for jobs.
2) Garmen start allowing PRs or foreigners to compete with TD, then TDs got to start cracking their brains to make a living. It would be ugly then....
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better not change anything if not garmen will collapse faster
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think average TDs are getting about $10 +- p/hour + freedom
salary $1900 + CPF + Bonus + benefits = $14 + p/hour + opportunity
seems jobless joe didnt noe how to adapt to the situation n still dreamin for a $4k job. if he is tat gud, dun think the company will let him go
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Originally posted by Ice kosong:
think average TDs are getting about $10 +- p/hour + freedom
salary $1900 + CPF + Bonus + benefits = $14 + p/hour + opportunity
seems jobless joe didnt noe how to adapt to the situation n still dreamin for a $4k job. if he is tat gud, dun think the company will let him go
ice kosong dunno what are your background ... have you work in buidling construct0in m&E industries ?? maybe i o level nia , know what these bro are talking
In those industries , There are full of FTs can Sinkie compete with the indians , chinamen, the lower skillset electrician, welder took over Sinkie still to be paid 2K with 1.5k salary , 2.5K pinoy tookover sinkie engineer ...likewise project manager taken over by Msian ..
And alot msian chinamen setup company taken over teh Sinkie boss contract , jobs
So what can sinkie do??
Try be taxi driver , be cleaner , or security loh , like garment say u sinkie dun be choosy got job can steal laugh liao, i work so hard only get 3 to 4 mil a year only u all too complacent ...garment must work very hard one
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Originally posted by Fwahhh:
I was thinking, there would be 2 scenarios in the future,
1) No change from current policy: TD age will be younger, qualifications will be higher, coz of the competition from FTs for jobs.
2) Garmen start allowing PRs or foreigners to compete with TD, then TDs got to start cracking their brains to make a living. It would be ugly then....
If allow even PR we all sure kpkb 1..... knn TD should be meant for only local born Singaporeans nia........ -
hahaha i find this thread so funny. PAP screw u guys up and still can say u are happy driving a taxi.
ya right being screwed by taxi cos , squeezed by ever increasing costs , no benefits , fucked up social ladder and still say happy.
self consolation thread.
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Originally posted by Ice kosong:
think average TDs are getting about $10 +- p/hour + freedom
salary $1900 + CPF + Bonus + benefits = $14 + p/hour + opportunity
seems jobless joe didnt noe how to adapt to the situation n still dreamin for a $4k job. if he is tat gud, dun think the company will let him go
I always believes One should be contented of what they have but do u have the least simpliest freaking idea how yao gui these FTs are in Singapore?
Yes, I m refering to the yao gui mentality but not having talents in most cases.
I have lately found a full time job as a recruitment consultant and drives part time basis. In my day job, I have come to understand a "FT" would grab a position with a much much lower pay than a local does. Those academic papers they send in can impress anyone thinking they must be drawing a pay package of at least 4-5k amonth but in true fact, it is not n its the " HARD TRUTH" in Singapore.
I sincerely hope u will wake up your ideas and start planning of how to keep yourself surviving in Singapore if (touch wood) one day u got replace by these FTs.
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Originally posted by quickpick:
Cover version by Tokio Hotel .... -
There's 2 kinds of people in general ..... driving a cab .
Quite high qualification - but don't mind driving a cab , because of same pay .
Low Qualification - have to drive a cab , cos lan lan , still same pay against being employed .
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End day , money talks .
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yes....no $$$ cant buy games for playstation games!!!!but still pathway using taxi driver is like snake n ladder game where u go down to dunno where from almost middle level or so.
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FT driving taxis ?
U think likely ? u think those taxi coy pay them mthly salary to drive a cab ?
Where they can lease out their cabs and get direct profits ?
Long Q now wanting to drive a cab .
If FT can drive a taxi , long time ago they do it liao .....
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My ah lau also has the similar background.
He was a technician who studied part-time to get his mechanical diploma in SP and many others related ones.
Then, they find his pay was too high but not the garmen ministers.
Now, they say "market pay" is even worst the the FT's.
This election, hope to see more opposition seats.
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Originally posted by allulu69:
This election, hope to see more opposition seats.
Needless to say, my vote never goes to PAP if i have the chance 2 vote. Just too bad now AMK is not wanted by Opposition yet.
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Originally posted by Ichikosong (NYK):
I always believes One should be contented of what they have but do u have the least simpliest freaking idea how yao gui these FTs are in Singapore?
Yes, I m refering to the yao gui mentality but not having talents in most cases.
I have lately found a full time job as a recruitment consultant and drives part time basis. In my day job, I have come to understand a "FT" would grab a position with a much much lower pay than a local does. Those academic papers they send in can impress anyone thinking they must be drawing a pay package of at least 4-5k amonth but in true fact, it is not n its the " HARD TRUTH" in Singapore.
I sincerely hope u will wake up your ideas and start planning of how to keep yourself surviving in Singapore if (touch wood) one day u got replace by these FTs.
tks for yr concern, i will do my best not to be replaced by FT. its the survival of the fittest.
i do find some locals lazy n gul keng so maybe its time for these slothful bums to wake up. maybe its the makin of the garmen wher their parents do still have some cpf savin.
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n wat us he goin to do about his problem?