mollymeek (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} mollymeek) wrote,@ 2007-06-11 11:40:00 |
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Another Non-reply: We don't force NSmen to buy insurance
Following the MOE's non-reply to Alfian Sa'at regarding the termination of his relief teaching position, the Mindef (as if not to be outdone), has written a non-reply of sorts regarding the compensation of NSmen, which does nothing but re-state the current situation and claiming that it's fair. These letters are really beautifully crafted works of art that needs to be exhibited in the Museum of Empty Verbosity.
Mindef's Colonel Benedict Lim has written to the press about the compensation for injured NSmen and the dependants of deceased NSmen. Colonel Lim, or whoever the scholar penning the letter for him is, articulately informs and educates us that the Mindef "has a comprehensive framework of compensations." For instance, Mindef provides up to three components of payout when an NSman dies:
1. "The first is a base-level death compensation of up to $111,000, in line with the Ministry of Manpower's Workmen's Compensation Act (WCA)."
2. "The second is a lump sum, death gratuity payment in addition to the payment under the WCA. For full-time national servicemen (NSF) and NSmen, Mindef treats them on par with regular soldiers and will give one year's basic pay for a regular of the same rank.
3. "The third component is additional compensation, given where the circumstances merit such additional compensation."
For the first component, Colonel Lim is merely telling us about a law that not only Mindef is subjected to. One feels the need to ask why the figure provided is the maximum figure whereas no minimum figure is provided. Perhaps a closer look at a part of the Workmen's Compensation Act (WCA) would enlighten us. The minimum sum is actually just $37,000.
But how do we decide how much to compensate the dependants of deceased NSmen? By multiplying their monthly earnings by 108 if they are below 40 years of age, i.e. the deceased's dependants get less than 10 years of what the deceased could possibly earn, without even taking into consideration inflation, bonuses andpossible likely pay rises that would come when a conscripted soldier serves his term, finds a real job and earns a real salary. (Most full-time NSmen and reservists are below 40. Don't die when you are 19 years old. The earlier you die, the less the compensation is worth for your dependants.)
To get a sum close to the $111,000, Molly's bad calculations (she failed Math) says that they would have to earn more than a thousand dollars a month. It would seem to Molly that the typical full-time NSmen who earns a meagre allowance would get a sum much closer to $37,000 for the first component and it's terribly misleading for the letter to just include the maximum payout but not the minimum or average payout.
Coming to the second component, the one year's basic pay sounds miserly enough. Put it together with the payout from the first component, and the dependants of a deceased 19 year-old kid (just a year or two older than Molly) will get a sum of money that the deceased might simply earn within a few years had he not died.
While Molly is by no means trying to measure the worth of a life, the concern is that when the deceased NSmen comes from a poor family where poor, retired or retiring parents are awaiting him to work and support the family, is there enough compensation to help the family go by? Perhaps the third component??
But the third component sounds so vague that Molly wonders if there ever are circumstances that merit additional compensation. Well, perhaps some lives are more valuable than others and merit additional compensation when they are lost?
The main problem with Colonel Lim's letter isn't really the way he is telling us about current policies. The main problem is the way he circumvents the issue of insuring NSmen:
Except that no one is telling you to force NSmen to buy insurance. People are telling you to insure NSmen, dearie. As if paying NSmen meagre allowances (not salaries, even though, without them, the country would supposedly collapse in a similar manner as it would without PAP ministers) wasn't enough, you are expecting to buy insurance and pay premiums for themselves if they want to be more substantially insured.
And oh yes, if an NSman is so distressed by consription that he jumps into the MRT track in depression when he books out, Molly believes that there will be no payout for his dependants. Self-injury. Mindef not liable.
Perhaps there should be a insurance company that insures people against conscription.
More later if Molly is in the mood.
Following the MOE's non-reply to Alfian Sa'at regarding the termination of his relief teaching position, the Mindef (as if not to be outdone), has written a non-reply of sorts regarding the compensation of NSmen, which does nothing but re-state the current situation and claiming that it's fair. These letters are really beautifully crafted works of art that needs to be exhibited in the Museum of Empty Verbosity.
Mindef's Colonel Benedict Lim has written to the press about the compensation for injured NSmen and the dependants of deceased NSmen. Colonel Lim, or whoever the scholar penning the letter for him is, articulately informs and educates us that the Mindef "has a comprehensive framework of compensations." For instance, Mindef provides up to three components of payout when an NSman dies:
1. "The first is a base-level death compensation of up to $111,000, in line with the Ministry of Manpower's Workmen's Compensation Act (WCA)."
2. "The second is a lump sum, death gratuity payment in addition to the payment under the WCA. For full-time national servicemen (NSF) and NSmen, Mindef treats them on par with regular soldiers and will give one year's basic pay for a regular of the same rank.
3. "The third component is additional compensation, given where the circumstances merit such additional compensation."
For the first component, Colonel Lim is merely telling us about a law that not only Mindef is subjected to. One feels the need to ask why the figure provided is the maximum figure whereas no minimum figure is provided. Perhaps a closer look at a part of the Workmen's Compensation Act (WCA) would enlighten us. The minimum sum is actually just $37,000.
But how do we decide how much to compensate the dependants of deceased NSmen? By multiplying their monthly earnings by 108 if they are below 40 years of age, i.e. the deceased's dependants get less than 10 years of what the deceased could possibly earn, without even taking into consideration inflation, bonuses and
To get a sum close to the $111,000, Molly's bad calculations (she failed Math) says that they would have to earn more than a thousand dollars a month. It would seem to Molly that the typical full-time NSmen who earns a meagre allowance would get a sum much closer to $37,000 for the first component and it's terribly misleading for the letter to just include the maximum payout but not the minimum or average payout.
Coming to the second component, the one year's basic pay sounds miserly enough. Put it together with the payout from the first component, and the dependants of a deceased 19 year-old kid (just a year or two older than Molly) will get a sum of money that the deceased might simply earn within a few years had he not died.
While Molly is by no means trying to measure the worth of a life, the concern is that when the deceased NSmen comes from a poor family where poor, retired or retiring parents are awaiting him to work and support the family, is there enough compensation to help the family go by? Perhaps the third component??
But the third component sounds so vague that Molly wonders if there ever are circumstances that merit additional compensation. Well, perhaps some lives are more valuable than others and merit additional compensation when they are lost?
The main problem with Colonel Lim's letter isn't really the way he is telling us about current policies. The main problem is the way he circumvents the issue of insuring NSmen:
"On top of our framework, servicemen can take up the SAF Group Insurance Scheme for additional protection, depending on their personal needs. The premiums are affordable at $1.60 per month for every $10,000 of coverage. Servicemen can opt to cover themselves from $50,000 to $400,000, even after their Operationally Ready Date. Mindef recognises our servicemen have differing needs, and our policy allows them to decide what additional insurance coverage best fits their needs, as opposed to mandating the need for them to purchase insurance coverage."For a ministry that forcibly conscripts teenagers who have no recourse to conscientious objection, the Mindef is showing itself to have exceptional respect for the freedom of choice NSmen should be allowed to exercise. Well done.
Except that no one is telling you to force NSmen to buy insurance. People are telling you to insure NSmen, dearie. As if paying NSmen meagre allowances (not salaries, even though, without them, the country would supposedly collapse in a similar manner as it would without PAP ministers) wasn't enough, you are expecting to buy insurance and pay premiums for themselves if they want to be more substantially insured.
And oh yes, if an NSman is so distressed by consription that he jumps into the MRT track in depression when he books out, Molly believes that there will be no payout for his dependants. Self-injury. Mindef not liable.
Perhaps there should be a insurance company that insures people against conscription.
More later if Molly is in the mood.
