By Nur Dianah Suhaimi & Cassandra Chew

COMPANIES that have emerged from the recession unscathed or stronger have been urged to review their cost-cutting measures, with an eye on phasing them out gradually.

They were also encouraged to consider giving moderate wage increases or one-off bonuses to their employees for the support they showed and sacrifices they made in the past year amid the global economic crisis.

The call to companies yesterday was made in a joint statement by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and the Government.

Restore wage cuts? Not till upturn is clear, say companies

Most employers are putting off any decision to at least Q1 next year

By Esther Teo & Jonathan Kwok

MOST companies which cut or froze staff pay prefer to wait until the strength of the economic recovery becomes clear before they commit to reversing the measures.

A Straits Times survey of 11 firms which had previously announced cost-cutting measures found that only MediaCorp and Apex-Pal International were looking to at least partially restore the cuts.

Property firm Knight Frank is reviewing its situation at the end of this month, and if the positive results seen so far hold up, it plans to restore all pay cuts it instituted this year and even reimburse staff for pay taken since May.

Be socially responsible, Swee Say tells bosses

'My strong message to management is this: We've done an excellent job in the way we managed the downturn.

'Labour-management relations on the ground - I think we worked very closely.

'Now the way we wrap up this downturn could be even more important. Because if you wrap up the downturn in a way that is socially responsible, it will further strengthen the trust between labour and management.

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