Daily Lessons from Life 16 November 2017 - SMRT fighting "fake news"!!

"'This is obviously fake': SMRT denies claims that CEO Desmond Kuek fired 50% of night crew

SINGAPORE: SMRT on Thursday (Nov 16) refuted accusations that a large number of staff from the night crew were laid off over the years, saying that to the contrary, the team looking after the tracks and track-side infrastructure has nearly doubled over the last seven years.

An online post circulating on social media had alleged that 25 per cent of the Permanent Way team night staff were "fired" under the leadership of Madam Saw Phaik Hwa, who was SMRT CEO from 2002 to 2012.

After Mr Desmond Kuek was appointed SMRT's CEO, 50 per cent of the night crew staff were laid off, the report said, leaving manpower at 35 per cent. 

"This is obviously fake!" SMRT said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

"How would SMRT have been able to complete the change out of all the power rails and 188,000 sleepers if staff count had indeed been cut so drastically?"

SMRT said the Permanent Way team, which is responsible for track and track-side infrastructure, almost doubled under Mr Kuek's tenure, growing from 206 staff in Dec 2010 to 395 staff in September this year."

Great that SMRT PR department is doing its job of defending the Company against false claims n unsubstantiated allegations of non-performance or any malicious actions made by the top mgt of SMRT. 

I wonder if it would clarify that the Group CEO's fixed pay was increased n his total pay package was lower by 20+% in one of the recent years as he did not make KPIs n hence did not earn his VARIABLE pay (bonuses). i.e. he didn't suffer a PAY CUT that year!!

In fact, his Fixed Pay increased that year DESPITE his failure to achieve the KPIs!!

The compensation package structure is flawed!! Yes?

ps: wishing a speedy recovery to those injured in yesterday trains collision!!