I belong to the group of workers classified as PMET, or professionals, managers, executives and technicians.

I was a project manager drawing $4,500 a month before I got retrenched. As part of my job scope, I used to interview and recruit drivers with a basic salary of $1,500.

In my own job search for an executive position, I was offered a job after three interviews. The basic monthly salary offered was $1,800.

However, it came with terms and conditions such as:

• A one-year commitment to the company. If I were to resign within the one year, I would be liable to compensate the firm an amount equivalent to three months of my last-drawn salary; and
• A probationary period of six months.

Are such conditions fair?

The company wants to pay a PMET only $1,800, and to tie early job termination with a penalty.

Obviously, I won't take up this offer, but I still feel humiliated by such terms.

Joseph Kang

This article was first published in The Straits Times.