Tricks of the trade (aka fob-offs by the contracting companies)
Thank you again Blue Eagle - I would certainly consider a 3 or 7 month bonus paid for a 12 month period quite generous.
As you are entrenched in SIA, it is unlikely you are aware of what is being offered, unless you are actively searching.
SQ is a "career airline" - as is CX, even for expats, who are frequently upgraded on type, and status (eg. from Line Captain, to Trainer and/or Check Captain), which entails further reasonable increases in income not usually afforded to contract pilots.
So for those pilots considering work as an employee of a contract company, it is wise to be aware of some of the tricks they will use.
Once in place, the contractor will generally not be interested in any problems you wish to raise,
The airline is the one paying the commission monthly to the contract company, which in turn pays the salary of the contracts Manager, the accountant, the principals of the company, the building rental, etc. It is a significant amount.
Why would the contract company want to "rock the boat", and risk the threat of the airline taking their business to one of the other contractors?
You can't have that because the local pilots don't get it!
There are also many other benefits - such as a retirement pension, cheap/free education for their children, the ability for their wives to work in the country, housing grants/subsidies, generous travel benefits by the employer airline, type upgrades, status upgrades, etc - NOT given to contract pilots.
If "You can't have that because the local pilots don't get it!", then request to be given the SOME of those benefits the local pilots are given.
We'll have to ask the company for that (contractor). You'll have to ask your employer for that (airline company)
The contracting company tries to act as a "firewall" between the airline and the contract pilot.
Chances are, if you do request to have an item which, in your opinion, is below the agreed contractual standard, the contractor will do NOTHING, and the airline will refer you back to the contractor.
If the contract is (in your opinion) being abused or breached, then complain loudly and IN WRITING about it, to BOTH the airline and the contractor.
Regardless of what the contractor states about the laws of a certain country being the overriding authority, you DO have legal rights in respect of your workplace, in the country in which you are employed. Check that country's Government departments.
Remember your country's Embassy can also assist.
Maintain your written record of problems until immediately prior to your completion, to consider other options.
This is the ONLY contract under offer by us.
Simply untrue - there is a degree of latitude that contracting companies have available to "keep the fish on the hook".