Singapore's ministers, already among the world's highest paid government officials, are getting a raise for the first time in 15 years
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysa -- Singapore’s ministers, already among the world's highest paid, are getting a raise for the first time in 15 years, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said, explaining the government cannot attract top talent into politics if salaries remain unchanged.
Wong told Parliament on Tuesday that under a revised salary framework, the benchmark annual pay for a minister at the lowest grade will rise to 1.8 million Singapore dollars ($1.42 million), from 1.1 million Singapore dollars ($868,330). The prime minister’s benchmark salary will jump to 3.6 million Singapore dollars ($2.8 million) from 2.2 million Singapore dollars ($1.7 million), he said.
The government ministers who will receive raises are elected lawmakers who lead ministries and help make national policies, while allowances for other lawmakers also will increase.
But Wong said ministers and other political officeholders will not immediately move to the new salary benchmark. Instead, they will get a one-time adjustment up to 9% beginning Oct. 15, with the increase depending on performance and responsibilities.
