Civil servants on lower job grades can look forward to getting fair chance at career progression

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http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/qualified-civil-servants-lower-job-grades-hopeful-change

A 25-year-old civil servant, who gave his name only as Derrick told TODAY that when he joined the service, he had to settle for substantially lower pay compared with degree holders performing the same job function.

As his employer did not recognise the bachelor’s degree he had obtained from an overseas university offered via a partner institution here, he was placed on a diploma pay scale, and was told that it would take longer for him to be promoted compared with a degree holder.

“It’s very frustrating because I worked hard to do well for my degree. Though I have distinctions in all my modules, someone with a borderline pass grade from a recognised university will have an advantage over me. All because paper qualifications are still valued over experience and abilities,” he said.

Ms Lim, 29, another civil servant, said she was also placed on a lower pay scale because she had graduated with a second-class (lower) honours degree.

“I’m doing the same job as someone on a higher (pay) scale, and I may even do it better than him or her. But because they have a better degree, I am at a disadvantage.”

Civil servants placed on lower job grades as they do not possess a degree can look forward to getting a fair shake at career progression, following Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s announcement during the National Day Rally.