We can argue till the cows come home. But in the end, it's up the job applicants to play their cards right. The employers will always resort to low-balling candidates when the amount is revealed.

From my personal experience, I had encountered an agent for a banking MNC asking for my pay only to be told that the expected package was around 20% from my previous pay even before an interview session was arranged. How stupid is that? I did not even bother for the interview session afterwards as those figures were not up to my expectation.

If you really have the right skills and the experience that the employers seek, the advantage is yours to take, even without revealing your pay. Also, don't resort to market rate. The so-called market rates are mere statistics compiled from those naive job seekers who have revealed their salaries only to be used by employers and HR as benchmark to low-ball other candidates like them.

Just my 2 sen. Cheers and happy job-hunting in Year 2015. Don't forget to ask for additional 6% GST increment.

Well said. This is sad but true. Most of the time, the candidates sound or look desperate in front of HR and during interview and comply sheepishly without 2nd thought, even when he or she was there just to make up the numbers.

This is also a by-product of our education system - to produce sheepish workers subject to abuse by the superiors, including sacking and MSS/VSS/forced resignation.