Public sector in singapore

Why is the difference in salary between a girl (without NS) and a boy (with NS) so vast for government jobs?

Below is the salary structure chart which i saw on the Singapore Police Force website for the position of a management executive.

There is a difference of $480 between the pay of a girl and a guy!

The usual explanation for the pay discrimination is that the guys wasted two and a half years serving the nation, hence the government should repay them, yada yada.....

Granted, they do start out in the workforce about 2 years later than girls of the same age, but why is there a need to compensate them for that? If there is a comparison with girls of the same age, we have to remember at there would be a time when the girls would have to take maternity leave to give birth. The maternity leave would take up at least half a year, and in this absence, the chances of a girl being promoted or even retaining her job would surely be compromised. In this case, is there any increment in pay for the girls? For "wasting" time which could be used to prove themselves at work when they give birth??

Anyway, there is enough monetary benefits being given to guys because of their NS "disadvantage". Whenever there is payout from the government, such as the progress package, the boys who underwent nation service would get more than the girls. The boys were also PAID when they were in NS. Not forgetting the annual IPPT test (a physical fitness test) which they have to do, they will get paid if they at least pass. Oh and even if they are called up for re-service, they will also receive a salary that matches their current salary.

Why should boys be paid more?

One reason which Elaine provided on why boys should be paid more is that they have to spend money on girls. Well, i would agree with her, provided that boys pay for everything when they go out on dates with girls.

So all girls out there, never fight/ offer to pay next time!!

Now, that would be equality.

*NS stands for national service. Singapore practises conscription, where is compulsory for boys aged 18 to serve the nation and go through national service (NS).