FEMALE EMPLOYEES IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Dr Lee Siew Choh asked the Minister for Finance (1) what is the total number of female employees in the Singapore Government Service; (ii) how many of them are monthly rated; how many are daily rated; and (iii) how many of them have benefited from the recent decision of Government to implement its policy of equal pay for equal work.

Dr Goh Keng Swee: The total number of female employees in the Singapore Government service is approximately 7,275. Of these, 105 are daily-rated and the rest are monthly-rated.

Practically everyone will benefit in one way or the other from the policy of equal treatment for women. There are a small number of women in professional grades and in certain other occupations where they already enjoy equal pay. Even they will get other benefits such as permanency of status after marriage and similar retirement benefits as men.

Dr Lee Siew Choh: Would the Minister tell us how many have actually benefited to date?

Dr Goh Keng Swee: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Treasury circular to give effect to this proposal has been drafted and at the present moment, it is being examined by me. When it is passed, all these benefits will be made available to women employees with effect from 1st March this year.