THERE are some 350 immediate job vacancies and many more training and apprenticeship opportunities in the Creative Industries, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) said on Saturday.
Some job openings in areas such as Animation, Games Development, New Media, Public Relations, Publishing and Arts Management are available at the Creative Industries Fair. Participating employers include Emily Hill, DesignSingapore Council, Pearson Education, Double Negative, Ubisoft and the Institute of Public Relations.
Many of these jobs are suitable for Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs) interested in entering the sector or further advancing their career within the sector, the agency said.
The first-of-its-kind fair is jointly organised by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), the Ministry of Information, Communications & the Arts (MICA) and its statutory boards and agencies as well as SPRING Singapore. 15 employers and 13 training providers are participating in the event.
Eight new conversion programmes will also be launched to provide some 400 training and apprenticeship opportunities over the next year to help Singaporeans gain industry-relevant knowledge, skills and work experience in the arts and culture, design, media and communication sectors. These conversion programmes aim to help PMETs to convert to new careers successfully.
The fair also features many other skills upgrading programmes for those currently working in the Creative Industries specifically those in the Publishing, Arts Education, Printing, Animation, Games Development and Design sectors.
All these programmes are part of the Professional Skills Programme (PSP), announced by the Prime Minister last week. The PSP brings together the entire range of skills training and job assistance initiatives specifically for PMETs. These range from career conversion, skills upgrading, tertiary upgrading programmes to career workshops on communications skills, resume writing and interview techniques. PMETs will receive enhanced course fee funding support under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR).
'As the creative industries are at the forefront of the latest technology, innovation and cultural trends, those working in the industries need to update their skills very frequently,' said Mr Chan Heng Kee, Chief Executive of WDA in a statement.
Entry to the Creative Industries Fair 2009, held at the Marina Square central atrium from 27 Feb to 1 Mar 09, is free. For more information, visit www.wda.gov.sg or call WDA's hotline 6883 5885 for further enquires.
- The Straits Times
Feb 28, 2009
Feb 27, 2009
4,800 flock to job fair
WHEN organisers of a job fair at Jelutong Community Centre in Sembawang opened the doors at 9.30 am yesterday, they were greeted by a long line of waiting people.
Over 1,000 arrived within the first hour of the North West Community Development Council's (CDC) job fair yesterday. By the time it ended at 4.30pm, the number had risen to 4,800.
The event brought together 40 service industry employers offering more than 3,000 jobs and was the largest recruitment fair organised by a CDC.
Fast-food chain McDonald's, security firm Cisco and department store Metro were among those offering jobs, mostly rank and file positions. About 10 per cent were managerial or executive posts.
Many job seekers made a beeline for the Resorts World at Sentosa booth, which had over 1,000 applications by the end of the fair. The integrated resort was offering 300 jobs, half of which are for the Universal Studios theme park.
A sign of increasingly hard times for job seekers, the overwhelming turnout mirrored that at other job fairs held recently. One organised by the South East CDC on Saturday saw over 5,000 hopefuls going after 1,000 jobs on offer.
Yesterday's crowd left Dr Lim Wee Kiak, a Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC, worried.
He said: 'We were a little surprised by the response. It's a weekday...it's not somewhere in town, yet we are enjoying an overwhelming response. It is a worrisome sign as well.
'I hope that Singaporeans will be a little bit more receptive and take up job offers that may not exactly fit 100 per cent of their criteria, that they will be flexible enough to accept that times are tough.'
The North West district, which includes Woodlands, Bukit Timah and Sembawang, has seen a 43 per cent rise in job seekers between September and last month. Noting the rise among the unemployed and retrenched, mayor Teo Ho Pin said yesterday that the council would be spending $1.6 million this year to help residents find jobs.
- The Straits Times
Over 1,000 arrived within the first hour of the North West Community Development Council's (CDC) job fair yesterday. By the time it ended at 4.30pm, the number had risen to 4,800.
The event brought together 40 service industry employers offering more than 3,000 jobs and was the largest recruitment fair organised by a CDC.
Fast-food chain McDonald's, security firm Cisco and department store Metro were among those offering jobs, mostly rank and file positions. About 10 per cent were managerial or executive posts.
Many job seekers made a beeline for the Resorts World at Sentosa booth, which had over 1,000 applications by the end of the fair. The integrated resort was offering 300 jobs, half of which are for the Universal Studios theme park.
A sign of increasingly hard times for job seekers, the overwhelming turnout mirrored that at other job fairs held recently. One organised by the South East CDC on Saturday saw over 5,000 hopefuls going after 1,000 jobs on offer.
Yesterday's crowd left Dr Lim Wee Kiak, a Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC, worried.
He said: 'We were a little surprised by the response. It's a weekday...it's not somewhere in town, yet we are enjoying an overwhelming response. It is a worrisome sign as well.
'I hope that Singaporeans will be a little bit more receptive and take up job offers that may not exactly fit 100 per cent of their criteria, that they will be flexible enough to accept that times are tough.'
The North West district, which includes Woodlands, Bukit Timah and Sembawang, has seen a 43 per cent rise in job seekers between September and last month. Noting the rise among the unemployed and retrenched, mayor Teo Ho Pin said yesterday that the council would be spending $1.6 million this year to help residents find jobs.
- The Straits Times
New job 'screening' process
WHEN Ms Annie Yeo, 32, left home for a job fair on Friday, she had more than a good chance of securing a position with an employer.
That was because the organisers had already contacted her earlier to confirm that she had the work experience and educational qualifications for the hotel and sales positions that she was interested in.
This new 'screening' process, ahead of when job fairs are held, is to ensure that there will be a better fit between job seekers and employers when such events are held, said National Trades Union Congress deputy secretary-general Halimah Yacob.
It is the latest move being adopted by the NTUC Women's Development Secretariat, which she heads, to help more women return to the workforce.
A related step is to ensure that there is better follow-up action once a job seeker links up with an employer, she told reporters after touring the jobs fair at the Employment and Employability Institute.
This means checking with employers if the women they shortlisted will need training - say in English literacy skills - and then helping put them through a relevant course, she explained.
On Friday, some 2,000 women turned up at the fair, which employers were seeking to fill 900 vacancies in jobs such as food and beverage crews, and retail assistants.
Among job seekers who turned up were retrenched factory workers, and housewives whose husbands had lost their jobs or suffered a pay cut.
- The Straits Times
That was because the organisers had already contacted her earlier to confirm that she had the work experience and educational qualifications for the hotel and sales positions that she was interested in.
This new 'screening' process, ahead of when job fairs are held, is to ensure that there will be a better fit between job seekers and employers when such events are held, said National Trades Union Congress deputy secretary-general Halimah Yacob.
It is the latest move being adopted by the NTUC Women's Development Secretariat, which she heads, to help more women return to the workforce.
A related step is to ensure that there is better follow-up action once a job seeker links up with an employer, she told reporters after touring the jobs fair at the Employment and Employability Institute.
This means checking with employers if the women they shortlisted will need training - say in English literacy skills - and then helping put them through a relevant course, she explained.
On Friday, some 2,000 women turned up at the fair, which employers were seeking to fill 900 vacancies in jobs such as food and beverage crews, and retail assistants.
Among job seekers who turned up were retrenched factory workers, and housewives whose husbands had lost their jobs or suffered a pay cut.
- The Straits Times
Feb 26, 2009
CDC fair offers 3,000 jobs
OVER 1,000 jobseekers turned up on Thursday morning at a job fair in Sembawang, within an hour of its opening.
Organised by the North West Community Development Council, the job fair gathers 40 employers from the services industry who are offering more than 3,000 vacancies.
Among them are companies such as fast food chain McDonald's, security company Cisco, department store Metro, and integrated resort Resorts World at Sentosa. It is the first time Resorts World is taking part in a job fair.
- The Straits Times
Organised by the North West Community Development Council, the job fair gathers 40 employers from the services industry who are offering more than 3,000 vacancies.
Among them are companies such as fast food chain McDonald's, security company Cisco, department store Metro, and integrated resort Resorts World at Sentosa. It is the first time Resorts World is taking part in a job fair.
- The Straits Times
Count yourself lucky to have a job
IT WAS a Friday night when I walked into my usual Japanese restaurant.
To my surprise, the small place was packed and I was glad I had made a booking, despite being a regular patron.
Another surprise awaited me as I took my seat at the counter: There was none of the usual greetings and smiles from the chefs. In their place were black faces. There was no eye contact; it was as if we customers were 'transparent'.
Something told me there was more to the extraordinary situation than meets the eye.
The busy waitresses were told off rudely by the two chefs either for not writing the orders clearly or for not serving food fast enough, all these within earshot of the customers sitting around.
My heart went out to the poor girls.
The atmosphere was tense, like that in a courtroom. Halfway through my dinner, my curiosity got the better of me and I asked one of the chefs what the problem was.
Unknowingly, I had touched a raw nerve, sparking an outburst. The reason for the outburst?
He felt that the crowd was more than they could handle, that their boss and supervisors were not doing anything to reduce their workload...
The two chefs were even contemplating resigning to teach the owner a lesson, without giving enough thought to the consequences - to them and their families. Unfortunately, their attitude is not uncommon in the workforce.
There are workers who prefer days when there are fewer customers and less work, or who go on leave or call in sick during busy periods. To them, busy days are a chore. But have they thought about the consequences of not having enough work or customers?
How long can a company, no matter how big it is, last if there is not enough business? The workers may end up without jobs.
The work in most jobs is often periodic in nature - there are peaks and troughs. What workers need to do is to learn to compromise, to give and take. Unfortunately in life, taking is easier than giving.
If there are genuine grievances, these should be discussed with management in a constructive way.
Suffering in silence is not the solution. Bottling up frustrations is bad enough. Venting them on customers is even worse. The company's image suffers. Resigning en masse is not a way of getting back at the boss. It is plain stupidity and workers will end up losers. You can never fight an institution.
Frontline staff are the ones that make or break a company. The chefs lost their restaurant a few loyal customers that Friday night. I, for one thing, would have second thoughts about dining there again.
Let us appreciate the fact that we are still employed in these difficult economic times and treasure our jobs.
- My Paper
To my surprise, the small place was packed and I was glad I had made a booking, despite being a regular patron.
Another surprise awaited me as I took my seat at the counter: There was none of the usual greetings and smiles from the chefs. In their place were black faces. There was no eye contact; it was as if we customers were 'transparent'.
Something told me there was more to the extraordinary situation than meets the eye.
The busy waitresses were told off rudely by the two chefs either for not writing the orders clearly or for not serving food fast enough, all these within earshot of the customers sitting around.
My heart went out to the poor girls.
The atmosphere was tense, like that in a courtroom. Halfway through my dinner, my curiosity got the better of me and I asked one of the chefs what the problem was.
Unknowingly, I had touched a raw nerve, sparking an outburst. The reason for the outburst?
He felt that the crowd was more than they could handle, that their boss and supervisors were not doing anything to reduce their workload...
The two chefs were even contemplating resigning to teach the owner a lesson, without giving enough thought to the consequences - to them and their families. Unfortunately, their attitude is not uncommon in the workforce.
There are workers who prefer days when there are fewer customers and less work, or who go on leave or call in sick during busy periods. To them, busy days are a chore. But have they thought about the consequences of not having enough work or customers?
How long can a company, no matter how big it is, last if there is not enough business? The workers may end up without jobs.
The work in most jobs is often periodic in nature - there are peaks and troughs. What workers need to do is to learn to compromise, to give and take. Unfortunately in life, taking is easier than giving.
If there are genuine grievances, these should be discussed with management in a constructive way.
Suffering in silence is not the solution. Bottling up frustrations is bad enough. Venting them on customers is even worse. The company's image suffers. Resigning en masse is not a way of getting back at the boss. It is plain stupidity and workers will end up losers. You can never fight an institution.
Frontline staff are the ones that make or break a company. The chefs lost their restaurant a few loyal customers that Friday night. I, for one thing, would have second thoughts about dining there again.
Let us appreciate the fact that we are still employed in these difficult economic times and treasure our jobs.
- My Paper
Feb 25, 2009
99,000 jobs may go
UNEMPLOYMENT could surge beyond the levels of recent recessions to hit a 20-year high of 5 per cent next year, according to a new report by DBS.
Its Singapore economist, Irvin Seah, estimates that the economy will contract 4.8 per cent this year, bringing about a total of 99,000 net job losses in the current recession. Manufacturing would be the worst hit with about 58,000 jobs lost, he added.
Mr Seah expects the unemployment rate to 'rise steadily' to 4.8 per cent by the end of the year and peak at about 5 per cent by the midde of next year. This would be the highest level of unemployment since the manufacturing recession in 1985 and 1986, when the rate hit 6.5 per cent, he said.
While the unemployment rate briefly touched 4.8 per cent in 2003 due to Sars, for the most part it stayed below 4 per cent in 2003 and 2004. But in the current downturn, Mr Seah expects unemployment to surpass 4 per cent in the second half of this year right through next year.
Said Mr Seah in the DBS report: 'Singapore is likely to experience its worst ever growth this year with a GDP contraction of 4.8 per cent. Labour markets are expected to deteriorate further.
'The unemployment rate will likely hit 5 per cent with cumulative job losses expected to reach 99,000 by 2010. Policy measures that have been put forth so far will help to cushion the blows but the worst of the labour market cycle is yet to come.'
The Singapore economy shrank by 3.7 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to a year ago. Non-oil domestic exports plunged by 17.7 per cent in the same quarter, down significantly from an average negatove 4.2 per cent for the first three quarters of last year.
NODX growth in January plummeted by 34.8 per cent - the sharpest single month decline ever and a clear reflection of the collapse in global demand. Singapore's unemployment rate has risen in the previous two quarters as the labour market continued to feel the heat of the global recession.
About 73,100 Singapore residents were jobless in December last year, an increase of about 58 per cent over a year ago. Job growth also slowed significantly, with just 26,900 jobs created in the fourth quarter, which is less than half the total gain of 55,700 in the previous quarter.
'Against the backdrop of the dire economic conditions, this is probably just the initial stage of a protracted down-cycle in the employment market. Job losses and unemployment rate will continue to rise as companies struggle to cope with the impact of the global downturn,' said Mr Seah.
- The Straits Times
Its Singapore economist, Irvin Seah, estimates that the economy will contract 4.8 per cent this year, bringing about a total of 99,000 net job losses in the current recession. Manufacturing would be the worst hit with about 58,000 jobs lost, he added.
Mr Seah expects the unemployment rate to 'rise steadily' to 4.8 per cent by the end of the year and peak at about 5 per cent by the midde of next year. This would be the highest level of unemployment since the manufacturing recession in 1985 and 1986, when the rate hit 6.5 per cent, he said.
While the unemployment rate briefly touched 4.8 per cent in 2003 due to Sars, for the most part it stayed below 4 per cent in 2003 and 2004. But in the current downturn, Mr Seah expects unemployment to surpass 4 per cent in the second half of this year right through next year.
Said Mr Seah in the DBS report: 'Singapore is likely to experience its worst ever growth this year with a GDP contraction of 4.8 per cent. Labour markets are expected to deteriorate further.
'The unemployment rate will likely hit 5 per cent with cumulative job losses expected to reach 99,000 by 2010. Policy measures that have been put forth so far will help to cushion the blows but the worst of the labour market cycle is yet to come.'
The Singapore economy shrank by 3.7 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to a year ago. Non-oil domestic exports plunged by 17.7 per cent in the same quarter, down significantly from an average negatove 4.2 per cent for the first three quarters of last year.
NODX growth in January plummeted by 34.8 per cent - the sharpest single month decline ever and a clear reflection of the collapse in global demand. Singapore's unemployment rate has risen in the previous two quarters as the labour market continued to feel the heat of the global recession.
About 73,100 Singapore residents were jobless in December last year, an increase of about 58 per cent over a year ago. Job growth also slowed significantly, with just 26,900 jobs created in the fourth quarter, which is less than half the total gain of 55,700 in the previous quarter.
'Against the backdrop of the dire economic conditions, this is probably just the initial stage of a protracted down-cycle in the employment market. Job losses and unemployment rate will continue to rise as companies struggle to cope with the impact of the global downturn,' said Mr Seah.
- The Straits Times
Feb 24, 2009
4,300 jobs to go in Q1
MORE unionised workers will lose their jobs in the first three months of this year than originally estimated: The number is now expected to hit 4,300.
The figure is much higher than labour chief Lim Swee Say's estimate of 3,700, made just last weekend.
In giving the bleak figures last night, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) deputy secretary-general Halimah Yacob said the bulk of the retrenchments will come from the beleaguered electronics sector.
She said 2,700 workers from this sector could lose their jobs by the end of next month. This is more than the 2,374 layoffs the sector recorded for the whole of last year.
The rest of the layoffs will come from the manufacturing sector, which is reeling as a result of plunging global demand.
Madam Halimah said that though the situation is worrying, there are some signs that it is improving.
'Some companies in the electronics sector are reporting that they are securing more orders, and we can see the slide in numbers slowing a little,' she said.
She credited initiatives such as the Jobs Credit scheme and the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur) - a $600 million training plan aimed at helping workers upgrade and retrain - for mitigating the effects of the downturn.
'We need to do more and focus on retraining our workers and finding other jobs for those who have been displaced.'
Madam Halimah was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar aimed at helping union members get legal help if they feel they have been unfairly dismissed or retrenched.
The seminar, jointly organised by NTUC and the Singapore Law Society, is the first of about four sessions to help rank-and-file workers as well as executives - better known as PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians). More than 550 union leaders and representatives attended yesterday's seminar, conducted by lawyers.
- The Straits Times
The figure is much higher than labour chief Lim Swee Say's estimate of 3,700, made just last weekend.
In giving the bleak figures last night, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) deputy secretary-general Halimah Yacob said the bulk of the retrenchments will come from the beleaguered electronics sector.
She said 2,700 workers from this sector could lose their jobs by the end of next month. This is more than the 2,374 layoffs the sector recorded for the whole of last year.
The rest of the layoffs will come from the manufacturing sector, which is reeling as a result of plunging global demand.
Madam Halimah said that though the situation is worrying, there are some signs that it is improving.
'Some companies in the electronics sector are reporting that they are securing more orders, and we can see the slide in numbers slowing a little,' she said.
She credited initiatives such as the Jobs Credit scheme and the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur) - a $600 million training plan aimed at helping workers upgrade and retrain - for mitigating the effects of the downturn.
'We need to do more and focus on retraining our workers and finding other jobs for those who have been displaced.'
Madam Halimah was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar aimed at helping union members get legal help if they feel they have been unfairly dismissed or retrenched.
The seminar, jointly organised by NTUC and the Singapore Law Society, is the first of about four sessions to help rank-and-file workers as well as executives - better known as PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians). More than 550 union leaders and representatives attended yesterday's seminar, conducted by lawyers.
- The Straits Times
Feb 23, 2009
Union leaders find it hard to deliver bad news
WHEN PSA had to retrench workers in the last downturn, union leaders who had to handle the retrenchments wept. Acknowledging the emotional toll on unionists on the front line, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told them yesterday: “You will need to steel yourselves for the task ahead.”
Unionists Today spoke to said they will hunker down and weather the storm even though no one likes to be a messenger of bad news. “It’s hard to keep your emotions in check,” said Singapore Industrial and Services Union (Siseu) president Tan Peng Heng. “You can’t shed tears in front of them. You have to encourage them and tell them where to seek help.”
Just last Friday, the Chemical Industries Employees’ Union (CIEU) had to rush down to an MNC to stave off a retrenchment exercise. According to CIEU’s secretary-general Tan Chee Tiong, the petrochemical company had planned to axe 70 of its staff, giving only a day’s notice.
“It was very hard — people were crying,” he said. To make matters worse, the MNC did not consult the union nor did it bother to explore other ways to reduce business costs, he added. “There’s Jobs Credit and Spur — all this can cushion the blow, but they didn’t seem to consider this,” he said.
The union leaders failed to stop the retrenchments.
While unionists are bracing themselves for the worst, some like Siseu’s Mr Tan think the recession is a “good experience” and learning curve for younger staff. “We know it’s hard to face retrenched staff alone, so we get our industrial relation officers to go down as a group to give each other support.”
This recession, though, have made unionists work even harder — meeting regularly every month, sending the retrenched for re-training and finding jobs for them.
United Workers of Petroleum Industry general-secretary M Karthikeyan recently found jobs for four of seven retrenched workers. “Compared to previous recessions, yes, I would say we are working harder because this time it’s a global recession,” he said.
“I’ve been a unionist for 23 years, but it does not get any easier breaking bad news to people,” said Mr Karthikeyan. “The petrochemical industry is very small — losing a worker is like losing a friend.”
- TODAY newspaper
Unionists Today spoke to said they will hunker down and weather the storm even though no one likes to be a messenger of bad news. “It’s hard to keep your emotions in check,” said Singapore Industrial and Services Union (Siseu) president Tan Peng Heng. “You can’t shed tears in front of them. You have to encourage them and tell them where to seek help.”
Just last Friday, the Chemical Industries Employees’ Union (CIEU) had to rush down to an MNC to stave off a retrenchment exercise. According to CIEU’s secretary-general Tan Chee Tiong, the petrochemical company had planned to axe 70 of its staff, giving only a day’s notice.
“It was very hard — people were crying,” he said. To make matters worse, the MNC did not consult the union nor did it bother to explore other ways to reduce business costs, he added. “There’s Jobs Credit and Spur — all this can cushion the blow, but they didn’t seem to consider this,” he said.
The union leaders failed to stop the retrenchments.
While unionists are bracing themselves for the worst, some like Siseu’s Mr Tan think the recession is a “good experience” and learning curve for younger staff. “We know it’s hard to face retrenched staff alone, so we get our industrial relation officers to go down as a group to give each other support.”
This recession, though, have made unionists work even harder — meeting regularly every month, sending the retrenched for re-training and finding jobs for them.
United Workers of Petroleum Industry general-secretary M Karthikeyan recently found jobs for four of seven retrenched workers. “Compared to previous recessions, yes, I would say we are working harder because this time it’s a global recession,” he said.
“I’ve been a unionist for 23 years, but it does not get any easier breaking bad news to people,” said Mr Karthikeyan. “The petrochemical industry is very small — losing a worker is like losing a friend.”
- TODAY newspaper
Feb 22, 2009
New measures to help PMETs as more make up ranks of retrenched
THE Government's next move to help the retrenched find jobs will target specifically professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced yesterday.
These are the better-educated workers, with at least a diploma, who are forming an increasing proportion of the retrenched compared to earlier recessions.
Laid-off PMETs say that even if they are willing to take a lower-paying job, bosses tend to prefer younger and less-qualified workers. These former middle-income earners also have deep financial commitments.
Commenting on the plight of PMETs, Mr Lee said: 'PMETs sometimes say: 'The Government always takes care of the lower-income, the poor. We are not poor but we also need help.' I think it is right that we should not neglect them'.'
He announced that a new Professional Skills Programme (PSP) will help them upgrade their skills so that they can stay within the same industry.
Some existing measures, such as one that helps jobless PMETs switch careers, will also be brought under the umbrella of the PSP.
Mr Lee made the announcement at a tripartite forum attended by more than 500 unionists, employers and government officials.
Elaborating later, Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong said that more PMETs are expected to be laid off compared to previous recessions because their ranks have swelled.
They formed 51 per cent of the resident workforce last year, up from 41 per cent a decade ago. At stake are the jobs of some 945,000 PMETs, with about 706,000 in services.
- The Straits Times
These are the better-educated workers, with at least a diploma, who are forming an increasing proportion of the retrenched compared to earlier recessions.
Laid-off PMETs say that even if they are willing to take a lower-paying job, bosses tend to prefer younger and less-qualified workers. These former middle-income earners also have deep financial commitments.
Commenting on the plight of PMETs, Mr Lee said: 'PMETs sometimes say: 'The Government always takes care of the lower-income, the poor. We are not poor but we also need help.' I think it is right that we should not neglect them'.'
He announced that a new Professional Skills Programme (PSP) will help them upgrade their skills so that they can stay within the same industry.
Some existing measures, such as one that helps jobless PMETs switch careers, will also be brought under the umbrella of the PSP.
Mr Lee made the announcement at a tripartite forum attended by more than 500 unionists, employers and government officials.
Elaborating later, Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong said that more PMETs are expected to be laid off compared to previous recessions because their ranks have swelled.
They formed 51 per cent of the resident workforce last year, up from 41 per cent a decade ago. At stake are the jobs of some 945,000 PMETs, with about 706,000 in services.
- The Straits Times
Feb 21, 2009
5,000 vie for 1,000 jobs
Saturday was no rest day for 5,000 people who flocked to Bedok Central to check out the over-1,000 jobs on offer.
The job fair yesterday featured openings from 12 employers - from food and beverage companies and the Government to health-care and retail firms.
It was organised by the South East Community Development Council (CDC), in collaboration with the Kampong Chai Chee Citizens Consultative Committee.
Among those who turned up was Mr Xavier Chan, 55, who quit his job as a barista to look for better job prospects about four months ago. He was applying to be a cook at Changi General Hospital.
'It's quite difficult to find a job because the market is so competitive. I applied for a position to sort letters at Singapore Post. There were 20 vacancies but 700 applicants, so every job fair is useful now.'
Over the past couple of months, the South East CDC has seen a surge in the number of residents seeking employment or training assistance.
Between November last year and January this year, 1,148 job seekers were registered - a 40 per cent rise from the August- October period last year.
Mr Vengadesh Naidu, a career centre manager of South East CDC, said the council noted a spike in the number of professionals and managers who lost their jobs.
Job seekers were also out in force at the Manpower Ministry yesterday. About 500 turned up at its Havelock Road premises to apply for 108 vacancies.
This was the first time the ministry was conducting a recruitment exercise in which applicants were interviewed on the spot.
- The Straits Times
The job fair yesterday featured openings from 12 employers - from food and beverage companies and the Government to health-care and retail firms.
It was organised by the South East Community Development Council (CDC), in collaboration with the Kampong Chai Chee Citizens Consultative Committee.
Among those who turned up was Mr Xavier Chan, 55, who quit his job as a barista to look for better job prospects about four months ago. He was applying to be a cook at Changi General Hospital.
'It's quite difficult to find a job because the market is so competitive. I applied for a position to sort letters at Singapore Post. There were 20 vacancies but 700 applicants, so every job fair is useful now.'
Over the past couple of months, the South East CDC has seen a surge in the number of residents seeking employment or training assistance.
Between November last year and January this year, 1,148 job seekers were registered - a 40 per cent rise from the August- October period last year.
Mr Vengadesh Naidu, a career centre manager of South East CDC, said the council noted a spike in the number of professionals and managers who lost their jobs.
Job seekers were also out in force at the Manpower Ministry yesterday. About 500 turned up at its Havelock Road premises to apply for 108 vacancies.
This was the first time the ministry was conducting a recruitment exercise in which applicants were interviewed on the spot.
- The Straits Times
How jobless PMETs can find work
THIS recession has been rough for many professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) as they cannot readily find work.
Many of them also have to compete against 'hungrier' young graduates, who can take on any job at far lower pay because they have fewer commitments to worry about.
This seems to indicate that, in Singapore, the number of years that a person has worked does not count for much when he is looking for a job.
In Australia, where I was working for six months, a job applicant is not required to include his age, gender and race on his resume.
He does not need to attach a photograph of himself. Neither does he need to state where he lives.
If a prospective employer requests these particulars, the job applicant may alert the authorities to the possibility of discrimination.
The situation is very different in Singapore. Discrimination is very evident. Older workers find that employers have the upper hand when it comes to hiring practices.
Unless the labour law is changed, these workers will continue to face discrimination. Although a degree is important in Australia, it is not a prerequisite for most jobs.
A non-graduate with sufficient experience and leadership skills may still work as a manager in a corporation.
The same cannot be said of companies here, which continue to look for graduates, even when they are filling administrative and marketing positions.
I advise PMETs who are jobless to take up retraining courses that will help them learn the skills that companies are looking for.
Another degree or a master's programme may not help you land a job. Skills, on the other hand, would.
- My Paper
Many of them also have to compete against 'hungrier' young graduates, who can take on any job at far lower pay because they have fewer commitments to worry about.
This seems to indicate that, in Singapore, the number of years that a person has worked does not count for much when he is looking for a job.
In Australia, where I was working for six months, a job applicant is not required to include his age, gender and race on his resume.
He does not need to attach a photograph of himself. Neither does he need to state where he lives.
If a prospective employer requests these particulars, the job applicant may alert the authorities to the possibility of discrimination.
The situation is very different in Singapore. Discrimination is very evident. Older workers find that employers have the upper hand when it comes to hiring practices.
Unless the labour law is changed, these workers will continue to face discrimination. Although a degree is important in Australia, it is not a prerequisite for most jobs.
A non-graduate with sufficient experience and leadership skills may still work as a manager in a corporation.
The same cannot be said of companies here, which continue to look for graduates, even when they are filling administrative and marketing positions.
I advise PMETs who are jobless to take up retraining courses that will help them learn the skills that companies are looking for.
Another degree or a master's programme may not help you land a job. Skills, on the other hand, would.
- My Paper
South East CDC sees 40% rise in job seekers between Nov and Jan
The number of job seekers at one Community Development Council (CDC) shot up by some 40 per cent in the past three months.
South East CDC registered over 1,100 people looking for employment, between November and January.
It is no surprise then that hundreds of job seekers turned up in full force at the CDC's one-day job fair on Saturday.
Organisers said more than 1,000 jobs are available in various sectors like healthcare, retail and logistics.
About 12 businesses and recruitment agencies and six training providers were also at the fair.
The CDC plans to organise about 100 such recruitment exercises this year. It organised a total of 87 such events in 2008, and rolled out 10 new ones in January alone.
- Channel News Asia
South East CDC registered over 1,100 people looking for employment, between November and January.
It is no surprise then that hundreds of job seekers turned up in full force at the CDC's one-day job fair on Saturday.
Organisers said more than 1,000 jobs are available in various sectors like healthcare, retail and logistics.
About 12 businesses and recruitment agencies and six training providers were also at the fair.
The CDC plans to organise about 100 such recruitment exercises this year. It organised a total of 87 such events in 2008, and rolled out 10 new ones in January alone.
- Channel News Asia
Feb 18, 2009
CDCs see surge in job seekers
IN THE past three months, more people — especially those aged 40 and above — have come forward to ask for help.
The five Community Development Councils (CDC) have reported an increase of nearly 50 per cent in the number of residents seeking help to land a job and about 40 per centincrease in those needing social assistance, in January.
In October last year, there were 2,470 applications for social assistance and 1,985 applications for job assistance, compared to 3,483 and 2,954 for last month. Most of them have education levels of O-levels and below, and more than 60 per cent were above 40 years old, said North West CDC mayor Teo Ho Pin
To cope with the increase in cases, more staff and resources have been put in place. And beyond the local schemes already in place at each CDC, all five CDCs have put together a Recession and Resilience Roadmap, aimed at providing a help directory for residents.
“Sometimes people say they don’t know where to ask for help when they get retrenched,” said Dr Teo, who launched the guide on behalf of the CDCs yesterday.
“Of course if they work for a company where the workers are unionised, the unions would have moved in to help them. But for those who are not unionised, they may sometimes be lost as to where to go for help, so this will provide a help directory.”
The guide — illustrated with cartoons — consolidates information on where to seek job training, the sectors still hiring, job search and budgeting tips, and helplines for various organisations like Credit Counselling Singapore and the HDB.
By far, the most effective programme in helping residents get back on their feet has been the Work Support scheme, which provides interim financial assistance while residents actively searched for jobs, said Dr Teo.
The scheme has a successful job placement rate of 70 per cent. “All of us have increased resources for the Work Support programme,” he said. “We are prepared because in a way, the CDCs have been quite conservative in the utilisation of funds.
“At present the measures we have should be quite comprehensive ... it’s only the load, how many will come.”
The guide is free, and available in all four languages at all CDC service centres and Community Clubs.
Meanwhile, 3,400 students will benefit from $400,000 worth of South West CDC bursary assistance this year, up from 1,700 students last year, thanks to more donations from the corporate partners.
For residents unsure of where to seek assistance, call the ComCare helpline at 1800-222-0000.
- TODAY newspaper
The five Community Development Councils (CDC) have reported an increase of nearly 50 per cent in the number of residents seeking help to land a job and about 40 per centincrease in those needing social assistance, in January.
In October last year, there were 2,470 applications for social assistance and 1,985 applications for job assistance, compared to 3,483 and 2,954 for last month. Most of them have education levels of O-levels and below, and more than 60 per cent were above 40 years old, said North West CDC mayor Teo Ho Pin
To cope with the increase in cases, more staff and resources have been put in place. And beyond the local schemes already in place at each CDC, all five CDCs have put together a Recession and Resilience Roadmap, aimed at providing a help directory for residents.
“Sometimes people say they don’t know where to ask for help when they get retrenched,” said Dr Teo, who launched the guide on behalf of the CDCs yesterday.
“Of course if they work for a company where the workers are unionised, the unions would have moved in to help them. But for those who are not unionised, they may sometimes be lost as to where to go for help, so this will provide a help directory.”
The guide — illustrated with cartoons — consolidates information on where to seek job training, the sectors still hiring, job search and budgeting tips, and helplines for various organisations like Credit Counselling Singapore and the HDB.
By far, the most effective programme in helping residents get back on their feet has been the Work Support scheme, which provides interim financial assistance while residents actively searched for jobs, said Dr Teo.
The scheme has a successful job placement rate of 70 per cent. “All of us have increased resources for the Work Support programme,” he said. “We are prepared because in a way, the CDCs have been quite conservative in the utilisation of funds.
“At present the measures we have should be quite comprehensive ... it’s only the load, how many will come.”
The guide is free, and available in all four languages at all CDC service centres and Community Clubs.
Meanwhile, 3,400 students will benefit from $400,000 worth of South West CDC bursary assistance this year, up from 1,700 students last year, thanks to more donations from the corporate partners.
For residents unsure of where to seek assistance, call the ComCare helpline at 1800-222-0000.
- TODAY newspaper
Feb 17, 2009
Security posts draw hundreds
HUNDREDS of unemployed Singaporeans flocked to Punggol Community Club yesterday to try and snag 150 security-industry jobs on offer.
The job fair was a recruitment exercise organised by the North East Community Development Council (CDC), which promised to help retrenched Singaporeans.
It was the first in a series of six job fairs to be held this year by the CDC. Each will focus on a specific industry
which is still recruiting. Among the many who showed up was 31-year-old Azmi Mohamed Masuni, who lost his job as a sales agent almost two months ago.
He told my paper: 'Recruitment drives like this are an excellent way for us to find new opportunities that we're not aware of.'
He did not mind getting a new job as a security officer even though it paid less. The starting salary for a security officer is $1,200, compared to $2,200 at his last job.
However, his previous experience in the Singapore Armed Forces as an infantry officer may mean he can command a higher salary should he be successful in his job application. He said: 'I was told I am best suited to be a supervisor. Times are bad, so as long as I have a stable income, I will be happy.'
The five security firms involved in yesterday's exercise, which included Certis Cisco and Premier Security Co-operative, were optimistic about filling their vacancies.
Ms K. Santhi, a human-resource executive at Premier, said: 'We conduct on-job training courses for those without experience, so there's definitely potential in the industry for those here.'
- My Paper
The job fair was a recruitment exercise organised by the North East Community Development Council (CDC), which promised to help retrenched Singaporeans.
It was the first in a series of six job fairs to be held this year by the CDC. Each will focus on a specific industry
which is still recruiting. Among the many who showed up was 31-year-old Azmi Mohamed Masuni, who lost his job as a sales agent almost two months ago.
He told my paper: 'Recruitment drives like this are an excellent way for us to find new opportunities that we're not aware of.'
He did not mind getting a new job as a security officer even though it paid less. The starting salary for a security officer is $1,200, compared to $2,200 at his last job.
However, his previous experience in the Singapore Armed Forces as an infantry officer may mean he can command a higher salary should he be successful in his job application. He said: 'I was told I am best suited to be a supervisor. Times are bad, so as long as I have a stable income, I will be happy.'
The five security firms involved in yesterday's exercise, which included Certis Cisco and Premier Security Co-operative, were optimistic about filling their vacancies.
Ms K. Santhi, a human-resource executive at Premier, said: 'We conduct on-job training courses for those without experience, so there's definitely potential in the industry for those here.'
- My Paper
15,000 jobs up for grabs
FREE psychometric tests and career counselling sessions are on offer at this year's career and education fair to help job seekers improve their chances of landing jobs during the economic slowdown.
About 15,000 jobs are up for grabs at the fair, which will be held next month, at the Suntec convention centre.
Many of the job openings being advertised this year are from the public sector, such as teachers, nurses, counsellors and social workers.
However, jobs are still available from the private sector, such as aeronautical engineers, retail staff, and various roles for Resorts World at Sentosa casino crew and supervisors, as well as staff for Universal Studios, which will be located in the integrated resort.
The four-day event will be held from March 5 to 8, and will bring together about 400 organisations from 12 countries.
Representatives from overseas and local education institutions will also be on site to hold seminars for those looking to further their studies.
For the first time, the event will feature a Master of Business Administration corner sponsored by Citibank, where visitors can inquire about programmes offered by nine education institutions, such as the University of Adelaide, Nanyang Business School and Manchester Business School Worldwide.
Organisers expect about 500,000 people to visit the event.
- The Straits Times
About 15,000 jobs are up for grabs at the fair, which will be held next month, at the Suntec convention centre.
Many of the job openings being advertised this year are from the public sector, such as teachers, nurses, counsellors and social workers.
However, jobs are still available from the private sector, such as aeronautical engineers, retail staff, and various roles for Resorts World at Sentosa casino crew and supervisors, as well as staff for Universal Studios, which will be located in the integrated resort.
The four-day event will be held from March 5 to 8, and will bring together about 400 organisations from 12 countries.
Representatives from overseas and local education institutions will also be on site to hold seminars for those looking to further their studies.
For the first time, the event will feature a Master of Business Administration corner sponsored by Citibank, where visitors can inquire about programmes offered by nine education institutions, such as the University of Adelaide, Nanyang Business School and Manchester Business School Worldwide.
Organisers expect about 500,000 people to visit the event.
- The Straits Times
Smaller firms unlikely to axe jobs
MOST smaller firms here are unlikely to slash jobs during the first half of this year, but are under no illusion about the scale of the slowdown, says a survey.
The twice-yearly HSBC poll of small businesses in Asia found that 87 per cent of those in Singapore expect their headcount to remain unchanged during the first six months of this year.
This, despite the fact that 82 per cent of them are expecting economic growth to slow. More than half - 61 per cent - of the 300 local firms surveyed are also planning to maintain their current levels of investment over the same period.
HSBC's Asia-Pacific Small Business Confidence Survey, conducted by research house TNS, asks 3,000 bosses across 10 Asian markets about their economic outlook for the coming six months, capital investment plans, staff levels and expectations for trade volumes.
It also measures business confidence levels on a scale of 0 to 200, with 100 as the midpoint.
According to the survey, the confidence of Singapore firms has been declining since the fourth quarter of 2007. It fell from 120 in that quarter to 101 by the second quarter of last year, and subsequently down to 70 by the fourth quarter.
Singapore's levels are consistently below the average weighted level for all countries in the region, which was 122 in the fourth quarter of 2007, 113 in the second quarter of 2008 and 89 in the last quarter of 2008.
The nine other Asian markets in the survey are China, Hong Kong, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.
According to HSBC, this is in line with expectations, given that Singapore has traditionally been more conservative on economic outlook than its Asian neighbours.
Small businesses in emerging economies like Bangladesh, Vietnam and India remain upbeat about growth, with the majority still expecting local economic growth to maintain the same pace as - or better - than last year.
- The Straits Times
The twice-yearly HSBC poll of small businesses in Asia found that 87 per cent of those in Singapore expect their headcount to remain unchanged during the first six months of this year.
This, despite the fact that 82 per cent of them are expecting economic growth to slow. More than half - 61 per cent - of the 300 local firms surveyed are also planning to maintain their current levels of investment over the same period.
HSBC's Asia-Pacific Small Business Confidence Survey, conducted by research house TNS, asks 3,000 bosses across 10 Asian markets about their economic outlook for the coming six months, capital investment plans, staff levels and expectations for trade volumes.
It also measures business confidence levels on a scale of 0 to 200, with 100 as the midpoint.
According to the survey, the confidence of Singapore firms has been declining since the fourth quarter of 2007. It fell from 120 in that quarter to 101 by the second quarter of last year, and subsequently down to 70 by the fourth quarter.
Singapore's levels are consistently below the average weighted level for all countries in the region, which was 122 in the fourth quarter of 2007, 113 in the second quarter of 2008 and 89 in the last quarter of 2008.
The nine other Asian markets in the survey are China, Hong Kong, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.
According to HSBC, this is in line with expectations, given that Singapore has traditionally been more conservative on economic outlook than its Asian neighbours.
Small businesses in emerging economies like Bangladesh, Vietnam and India remain upbeat about growth, with the majority still expecting local economic growth to maintain the same pace as - or better - than last year.
- The Straits Times
No layoffs planned: ST Engg
SINGAPORE'S leading defence manufacturer said on Tuesday that its diversified businesses across different sectors and countries will help it weather the stormy skies ahead.
But ST Engineering chief executive Tan Pheng Hock cautioned that 2009 will be a volatile year where there is a 'risk of protectionism... and the market can surprise on the negative side'.
'We have to be prepared for that outcome, which is beyond our control,' he added.
The group has no plans for any layoffs in its Singapore operations, said Mr Tan.
'It's difficult to predict what will happen in 2009, but it's not in the plan.' he said
He said the group is always reviewing overseas operations but stated that ST Engg will be 'sensitive about the impact on the workforce'.
The firm previously reported a reduced headcount of 350 in the United States as part of its 'right-sizing' exercise, said Mr Tan.
He added that the company will use 'this opportunity to recruit selective talent that is missing, but this won't be in big numbers'.
ST Engg yesterday posted a 6.6 per cent drop in full-year profit to $488.7 million. Total revenue rose by 5.8 per cent to $5.34 billion.
Three of the group main sectors - aerospace, electronics and land systems - reported higher turnover but the marine division recorded lower ship-building revenue.
In terms of sales, the electronics arm was the best performer, rising 12 per cent to $1.14 billion, but it slid 19 per cent in profit to $93.9 million due to impairment losses.
- The Straits Times
But ST Engineering chief executive Tan Pheng Hock cautioned that 2009 will be a volatile year where there is a 'risk of protectionism... and the market can surprise on the negative side'.
'We have to be prepared for that outcome, which is beyond our control,' he added.
The group has no plans for any layoffs in its Singapore operations, said Mr Tan.
'It's difficult to predict what will happen in 2009, but it's not in the plan.' he said
He said the group is always reviewing overseas operations but stated that ST Engg will be 'sensitive about the impact on the workforce'.
The firm previously reported a reduced headcount of 350 in the United States as part of its 'right-sizing' exercise, said Mr Tan.
He added that the company will use 'this opportunity to recruit selective talent that is missing, but this won't be in big numbers'.
ST Engg yesterday posted a 6.6 per cent drop in full-year profit to $488.7 million. Total revenue rose by 5.8 per cent to $5.34 billion.
Three of the group main sectors - aerospace, electronics and land systems - reported higher turnover but the marine division recorded lower ship-building revenue.
In terms of sales, the electronics arm was the best performer, rising 12 per cent to $1.14 billion, but it slid 19 per cent in profit to $93.9 million due to impairment losses.
- The Straits Times
CDCs prepare job seekers for interviews
A JOB seeker might turn up for a walk-in interview after spotting a recruitment advertisement, only to find himself unprepared to handle the questions asked and how to present himself. Others might find that they lack the required skills for the vacancies available.
To help job seekers maximise their chances, at least two Community Development Councils (CDC) are taking steps to better prepare them for recruitment opportunities.
North East CDC kicked off the first of its Recharge sessions yesterday, which are free one-day programmes providing motivational talks and interview tips to job seekers, so that they can present themselves well at job interviews.
“Some job seekers haven’t gone for a job interview in years,” said the CDC’s senior manager Brenda Lim. “So, we do role-play and give them tips to help them build confidence.”
Each session — targeted at rank-and-file workers — are industry-specific and employers are present at the sessions to talk about the jobs available. These are then followed by a recruitment exercise the next day. One such exercise for security jobs is being held at Punggol Community Club today, with 150 vacancies on offer.
Over at the North West CDC, job seekers can prepare themselves through its “Trial, Train & Transit” (T3) package, which allows them to take part in a job trial for three days to see if it suits them.
And to increase their employment chances, targeted groups, such as those with GCE O-level qualifications and below, will be sent for training that matches the available job openings. The CDC is planning four large-scale job fairs, each with at least 30 employers participating.
- TODAY newspaper
To help job seekers maximise their chances, at least two Community Development Councils (CDC) are taking steps to better prepare them for recruitment opportunities.
North East CDC kicked off the first of its Recharge sessions yesterday, which are free one-day programmes providing motivational talks and interview tips to job seekers, so that they can present themselves well at job interviews.
“Some job seekers haven’t gone for a job interview in years,” said the CDC’s senior manager Brenda Lim. “So, we do role-play and give them tips to help them build confidence.”
Each session — targeted at rank-and-file workers — are industry-specific and employers are present at the sessions to talk about the jobs available. These are then followed by a recruitment exercise the next day. One such exercise for security jobs is being held at Punggol Community Club today, with 150 vacancies on offer.
Over at the North West CDC, job seekers can prepare themselves through its “Trial, Train & Transit” (T3) package, which allows them to take part in a job trial for three days to see if it suits them.
And to increase their employment chances, targeted groups, such as those with GCE O-level qualifications and below, will be sent for training that matches the available job openings. The CDC is planning four large-scale job fairs, each with at least 30 employers participating.
- TODAY newspaper
Job seekers less choosy now than in 2003, though younger ones can be unrealistic
WITH the lessons of at least one downturn behind them, not as many older job seekers this time are being choosy. Younger job seekers, however, are a different matter — with many still lacking a sense of urgency.
“For more mature job seekers who experienced the last recession, they are definitely aware of what is happening to the economy and how they need to more flexible,” said Ms Lynne Ng, regional director of Adecco South East Asia.
Recruitment firm Chris Allen Search partner Christopher Leong added that mature workers with families also face a heavier financial burden, and are hence more willing to adjust expectations. “Younger workers might still have firm ideas of what their career is going to be. Sometimes they will have unrealistic expectations about pay, or wanting to stay in the same line,” he said.
Experienced workers are also more aware of how to make use of the same skills in different fields. “They can see that entering a new industry doesn’t mean starting from nothing,” said Mr Leong.
During this month’s debates in Parliament, Central Singapore mayor Zainudin Nordin noted that at least 75 people a month turn down good jobs, even as the number of job seekers swelled from an average of 400 a month between January and October, to 800 last month.
But while acknowledging that picky job seekers do exist, employers Today spoke to observed that most job seekers appear more open to trying new fields and adjusting their expectations to land jobs, compared to the 2001 and 2003 downturns.
A more comprehensive training and referral network that has better prepared job seekers and enabled employers to find workers who are the right fit, said Ms May Foo, vice-president for human resources and capability development at Apex-Pal International. The company is “keen” on hiring those who have been through preparation and training courses, as they tend to be more positive.
Still, some pickiness is to be expected initially with job seekers struggling to move out of their “comfort zones”, while some resist training as financial concerns drive their interest in landing a job first, said a North West CDC spokesperson.
With counselling, though, job-hunters usually come around to their limitations. Since the last recession in 2003, the Workforce Development Agency has set up centres at the five CDCs staffed with career counsellors.
Each consultation session usually lasts 30 to 40 minutes. “We used to spend an hour with each client, but now we see so many more cases, we had to cut down,” said North East CDC senior manager Brenda Lim, adding that last week, the centre saw 50 new cases every day.
Even as the severity of the current recession is making job seekers more realistic, there is also “more information in the media now and a lot more awareness of where to go for help,” noted Ms Lim.
- TODAY newspaper
“For more mature job seekers who experienced the last recession, they are definitely aware of what is happening to the economy and how they need to more flexible,” said Ms Lynne Ng, regional director of Adecco South East Asia.
Recruitment firm Chris Allen Search partner Christopher Leong added that mature workers with families also face a heavier financial burden, and are hence more willing to adjust expectations. “Younger workers might still have firm ideas of what their career is going to be. Sometimes they will have unrealistic expectations about pay, or wanting to stay in the same line,” he said.
Experienced workers are also more aware of how to make use of the same skills in different fields. “They can see that entering a new industry doesn’t mean starting from nothing,” said Mr Leong.
During this month’s debates in Parliament, Central Singapore mayor Zainudin Nordin noted that at least 75 people a month turn down good jobs, even as the number of job seekers swelled from an average of 400 a month between January and October, to 800 last month.
But while acknowledging that picky job seekers do exist, employers Today spoke to observed that most job seekers appear more open to trying new fields and adjusting their expectations to land jobs, compared to the 2001 and 2003 downturns.
A more comprehensive training and referral network that has better prepared job seekers and enabled employers to find workers who are the right fit, said Ms May Foo, vice-president for human resources and capability development at Apex-Pal International. The company is “keen” on hiring those who have been through preparation and training courses, as they tend to be more positive.
Still, some pickiness is to be expected initially with job seekers struggling to move out of their “comfort zones”, while some resist training as financial concerns drive their interest in landing a job first, said a North West CDC spokesperson.
With counselling, though, job-hunters usually come around to their limitations. Since the last recession in 2003, the Workforce Development Agency has set up centres at the five CDCs staffed with career counsellors.
Each consultation session usually lasts 30 to 40 minutes. “We used to spend an hour with each client, but now we see so many more cases, we had to cut down,” said North East CDC senior manager Brenda Lim, adding that last week, the centre saw 50 new cases every day.
Even as the severity of the current recession is making job seekers more realistic, there is also “more information in the media now and a lot more awareness of where to go for help,” noted Ms Lim.
- TODAY newspaper
Feb 16, 2009
Fired even before they are hired
Heard this? You are fired even before you are hired.
For final-year economics student J. Lim, this was not funny - she was 'retrenched' even before she started work.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) student was overjoyed when, in September last year, an American bank wrote to say she would be hired as an investment banking officer when she graduates in July this year.
Ms Lim, 23, even made plans to use her first pay cheque for a holiday in Europe. But in December, another letter arrived. 'The letter stated that the bank was freezing its headcount and thus had to withdraw its job offer,' she said.
The Sunday Times learnt that at least three other yet-to-graduate university students share her plight. The cushy bank jobs they thought they had nailed after their internships did not materialise.
The fallout from the global downturn is seeing new graduates - many with high expectations - chasing jobs also being eyed by retrenched experienced workers willing to take a pay cut.
A Sunday Times poll of 100 graduating students from the three local universities - NUS, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU) - found that one in two is 'afraid of graduating this year'. Between May and July, 12,000 of them are expected to be in the job market.
Ms Joan Tay, director of career services at the NUS Business School, said: 'In the light of the current economic downturn, coupled with significant job cuts and hiring freeze around the world, graduating students must brace themselves for a tight job market and moderate their salary expectations.'
Students are already doing so. The poll found one-third of them have changed their plans or expectations over the past year due to the economic gloom.
NTU electrical and electronics engineering student Yeoh Kuan Seong, 23, will not seek a career in engineering as the crisis has badly hit the manufacturing industry. He will start work as a technologist in Deutsche Bank when he graduates in July.
Mr Yeoh, at least, has a job waiting for him. NTU banking and finance student Neo Poh Lin, 25, has sent resumes to at least 10 banks since last September but has not got replies from most of them.
'None of my friends has got a job yet, not even those tipped to get first-class honours,' he said.
For now, Mr Neo is looking to take on part-time sales jobs until the economy gets better.
NUS economics student Eric Chen, 25, who hopes to land a job in finance, has been making cold calls for job openings every other day since last November. He has also sent out more than 100 resumes, all to no avail.
'The finance industry now has an influx of professionals aged below 30 who were retrenched from the foreign banks. How can we new graduates compete with them?' he said.
Meanwhile, some of those who are not yet in their final year have 'backup' plans.
Ms Xu Jieyi, 22, a third-year SMU student doing a four-year double degree in accountancy and economics, will graduate in December next year. But she is taking a part-time diploma course in professional make-up artistry. Her parents paid $4,000 for the five-month-long course which started this month.
'Hopefully, this will be the additional source of income after I graduate,' she said.
- The Straits Times
For final-year economics student J. Lim, this was not funny - she was 'retrenched' even before she started work.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) student was overjoyed when, in September last year, an American bank wrote to say she would be hired as an investment banking officer when she graduates in July this year.
Ms Lim, 23, even made plans to use her first pay cheque for a holiday in Europe. But in December, another letter arrived. 'The letter stated that the bank was freezing its headcount and thus had to withdraw its job offer,' she said.
The Sunday Times learnt that at least three other yet-to-graduate university students share her plight. The cushy bank jobs they thought they had nailed after their internships did not materialise.
The fallout from the global downturn is seeing new graduates - many with high expectations - chasing jobs also being eyed by retrenched experienced workers willing to take a pay cut.
A Sunday Times poll of 100 graduating students from the three local universities - NUS, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU) - found that one in two is 'afraid of graduating this year'. Between May and July, 12,000 of them are expected to be in the job market.
Ms Joan Tay, director of career services at the NUS Business School, said: 'In the light of the current economic downturn, coupled with significant job cuts and hiring freeze around the world, graduating students must brace themselves for a tight job market and moderate their salary expectations.'
Students are already doing so. The poll found one-third of them have changed their plans or expectations over the past year due to the economic gloom.
NTU electrical and electronics engineering student Yeoh Kuan Seong, 23, will not seek a career in engineering as the crisis has badly hit the manufacturing industry. He will start work as a technologist in Deutsche Bank when he graduates in July.
Mr Yeoh, at least, has a job waiting for him. NTU banking and finance student Neo Poh Lin, 25, has sent resumes to at least 10 banks since last September but has not got replies from most of them.
'None of my friends has got a job yet, not even those tipped to get first-class honours,' he said.
For now, Mr Neo is looking to take on part-time sales jobs until the economy gets better.
NUS economics student Eric Chen, 25, who hopes to land a job in finance, has been making cold calls for job openings every other day since last November. He has also sent out more than 100 resumes, all to no avail.
'The finance industry now has an influx of professionals aged below 30 who were retrenched from the foreign banks. How can we new graduates compete with them?' he said.
Meanwhile, some of those who are not yet in their final year have 'backup' plans.
Ms Xu Jieyi, 22, a third-year SMU student doing a four-year double degree in accountancy and economics, will graduate in December next year. But she is taking a part-time diploma course in professional make-up artistry. Her parents paid $4,000 for the five-month-long course which started this month.
'Hopefully, this will be the additional source of income after I graduate,' she said.
- The Straits Times
Feb 13, 2009
Jobs Credit and Spur already having effect to help workers, firms weather downturn
FOR more than a week, the announcements kept coming as the ministries rolled out their plans and proposals for this year and the years ahead. On Friday, it was slightly different.
Parliament came full circle as the debate on the Budget and Government expenditure ended on the same note on which it started: Jobs.
But where Members of Parliament had at first engaged the Government on the broad strategies of its $20.5-billion Resilience Package, this time they cast their eyes on the simple details of those measures to be undertaken by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
For example, whether more can be done for vulnerable groups such as contract workers.
With many of MOM’s measures already unveiled in the House, the focus was on ensuring that as few people as possible fall through the cracks on the job front.
According to Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, the $4.5-billion Jobs Credit and the $650-million Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur) are already having an impact.
For instance, MediaCorp was an example of a “responsible employer” using comprehensive measures to control costs and save jobs, such as shorter work weeks and leveraging on Spur, while retailer Charles and Keith was using Jobs Credit and Spur to expand operations by 25 workers.
And Spur has seen more than 20,000 workers committed for training two months after its launch, with nearly 13,000 doing so through their employers and the remainder signing up themselves, said Mr Gan, who replied to questions by MPs Lily Neo (Jalan Besar) and Low Thia Khiang (Hougang) on the effectiveness of job placements and whether the Government is monitoring such efforts.
“Unlike some countries which provide extensive unemployment welfare to displaced workers, our measures help employers preserve jobs to minimise retrenchments and unemployment. This will benefit workers,” he said.
But to help older low-wage workers who might see a drop in income during the downturn, a one-off Workfare Special Payment of up to $1,200 will be paid over three tranches for work done last year and this year.
Recognising that some low-wage workers may experience less regular employment this year, a worker only need work two months out of any six-month period to receive half of that payment instead of three months.
These were some of the details released by MOM, the last ministry for the Committee of Supply debate, following the practice of going by seniority of minister.
Other initiatives included a panel co-led by MOM and the Trade and Industry Ministry to look into labour productivity and develop strategies for each industry, as well as a Workplace Safety and Health 2018 national plan to be unveiled in April to develop industry-specific roadmaps and targets.
Mr Gan also addressed MPs’ concerns about contract workers, which increasingly include professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs), pointed out MP Jessica Tan. Asked by Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong what could be done to ensure PMET contract workers also benefited from schemes such as Jobs Credit, Mr Gan said this was a commercial arrangement between job seekers and employment agencies who employed them.
“It’s up to the customer to negotiate with the agency for a lower fee, because the benefit has gone to the agency ... overall the Jobs Credit will make Singaporeans workers cheaper and these benefits will flow through to the employers, and whether they pass it on is an arrangement between (them).”
While a lot of effort will go into managing job losses, MOM will also focus on ensuring that Singapore emerges from the recession with a competitive workforce.
Three Continuing Education and Training (CET) centres will be appointed National CET Institutes to spearhead objectives such as the adoption of innovative methods of adult training and offer quick responses to skills gaps and shortages.
MPs such as Dr Lim Wee Kiak felt there was need to streamline services to minimise confusion. In response, Mr Gan said Singaporeans should make Community Development Councils, which are linked to agencies like the Workforce Development Agency, their first port-of-call.
- TODAY newspaper
Parliament came full circle as the debate on the Budget and Government expenditure ended on the same note on which it started: Jobs.
But where Members of Parliament had at first engaged the Government on the broad strategies of its $20.5-billion Resilience Package, this time they cast their eyes on the simple details of those measures to be undertaken by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
For example, whether more can be done for vulnerable groups such as contract workers.
With many of MOM’s measures already unveiled in the House, the focus was on ensuring that as few people as possible fall through the cracks on the job front.
According to Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, the $4.5-billion Jobs Credit and the $650-million Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur) are already having an impact.
For instance, MediaCorp was an example of a “responsible employer” using comprehensive measures to control costs and save jobs, such as shorter work weeks and leveraging on Spur, while retailer Charles and Keith was using Jobs Credit and Spur to expand operations by 25 workers.
And Spur has seen more than 20,000 workers committed for training two months after its launch, with nearly 13,000 doing so through their employers and the remainder signing up themselves, said Mr Gan, who replied to questions by MPs Lily Neo (Jalan Besar) and Low Thia Khiang (Hougang) on the effectiveness of job placements and whether the Government is monitoring such efforts.
“Unlike some countries which provide extensive unemployment welfare to displaced workers, our measures help employers preserve jobs to minimise retrenchments and unemployment. This will benefit workers,” he said.
But to help older low-wage workers who might see a drop in income during the downturn, a one-off Workfare Special Payment of up to $1,200 will be paid over three tranches for work done last year and this year.
Recognising that some low-wage workers may experience less regular employment this year, a worker only need work two months out of any six-month period to receive half of that payment instead of three months.
These were some of the details released by MOM, the last ministry for the Committee of Supply debate, following the practice of going by seniority of minister.
Other initiatives included a panel co-led by MOM and the Trade and Industry Ministry to look into labour productivity and develop strategies for each industry, as well as a Workplace Safety and Health 2018 national plan to be unveiled in April to develop industry-specific roadmaps and targets.
Mr Gan also addressed MPs’ concerns about contract workers, which increasingly include professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs), pointed out MP Jessica Tan. Asked by Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong what could be done to ensure PMET contract workers also benefited from schemes such as Jobs Credit, Mr Gan said this was a commercial arrangement between job seekers and employment agencies who employed them.
“It’s up to the customer to negotiate with the agency for a lower fee, because the benefit has gone to the agency ... overall the Jobs Credit will make Singaporeans workers cheaper and these benefits will flow through to the employers, and whether they pass it on is an arrangement between (them).”
While a lot of effort will go into managing job losses, MOM will also focus on ensuring that Singapore emerges from the recession with a competitive workforce.
Three Continuing Education and Training (CET) centres will be appointed National CET Institutes to spearhead objectives such as the adoption of innovative methods of adult training and offer quick responses to skills gaps and shortages.
MPs such as Dr Lim Wee Kiak felt there was need to streamline services to minimise confusion. In response, Mr Gan said Singaporeans should make Community Development Councils, which are linked to agencies like the Workforce Development Agency, their first port-of-call.
- TODAY newspaper
Feb 12, 2009
NUS tie-up to aid job hunt
A TIE-UP between National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore Business Federation (SBF) will give graduates a leg up in their job hunt and career.
Yesterday, NUS Provost Tan Eng Chye signed a memorandum of understanding with SBF deputy executive director Lim Chai Boon allowing students to network, do internships and explore business opportunities among the 15,000 firms the federation represents.
This is the first time the federation has formed a formal partnership with a university here. Professor Tan said: 'The tie-up with SBF will allow our NUS undergraduates and graduates to immerse in programmes or projects that will enable them to become business savvy in the global environment.'
He hopes this will help secure jobs for graduating students but with the recession deepening, internships may be a more viable way to gain employment.
SBF's Mr Lim said students should seize internship opportunities as many businesses try to identify talented students and hire them as permanent staff.
Graduating students are hopeful the scheme will bring greater work opporrtunities. Economics student Hesani Jayawickrarma, 21, said: 'The university is doing quite a lot to help graduating students get jobs. I will be sending out as many resumes as possible and will be open to all types of jobs, even internships.'
- The Straits Times
Yesterday, NUS Provost Tan Eng Chye signed a memorandum of understanding with SBF deputy executive director Lim Chai Boon allowing students to network, do internships and explore business opportunities among the 15,000 firms the federation represents.
This is the first time the federation has formed a formal partnership with a university here. Professor Tan said: 'The tie-up with SBF will allow our NUS undergraduates and graduates to immerse in programmes or projects that will enable them to become business savvy in the global environment.'
He hopes this will help secure jobs for graduating students but with the recession deepening, internships may be a more viable way to gain employment.
SBF's Mr Lim said students should seize internship opportunities as many businesses try to identify talented students and hire them as permanent staff.
Graduating students are hopeful the scheme will bring greater work opporrtunities. Economics student Hesani Jayawickrarma, 21, said: 'The university is doing quite a lot to help graduating students get jobs. I will be sending out as many resumes as possible and will be open to all types of jobs, even internships.'
- The Straits Times
Jobless to hit 30,000
SINGAPORE should brace itself for record highs in the unemployment rate and job losses this year, given current global trends.
But the Government, unions and employers are doing all they can to keep the numbers down, and things would be much worse if not for initiatives like the Jobs Credit scheme, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Swee Say said last night.
Speaking after a People's Association event at the Nanyang Polytechnic last night, Mr Lim said that, because the current downturn is deeper and more severe than during the Asian financial crisis in 1998, he expects retrenchments to be higher than the 30,000 then.
In the first quarter of this year alone, he expects that 3,500 unionised workers will lose their jobs, up from 1,500 in the fourth quarter of last year.
Layoffs have accelerated after the Chinese New Year, said Mr Lim, who is also the secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress.
'This week alone, we've already seen one sizeable retrenchment of 150 workers within the unionised sector.'
On the unemployment rate, which hit a record of 5.2 per cent in 2003, when Sars hit, Mr Lim said a comparison of both situations shows 'there's no reason why we can hope' the rate will be below that.
But, he said, the Government is putting in its 'very best effort' to mitigate the effects of the downturn, through initiatives like the Jobs Credit scheme and the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur), a $600 million training plan aimed at helping workers upgrade and retrain.
Mr Lim said encouraging signs are emerging.
'Because of these programmes, we are seeing some of these companies trying to delay retrenchments as far as they can.
'Where retrenchments are unavoidable, they try to keep the number as low as possible,' he said.
He gave the example of one company which downsized its workforce by allowing its foreign workers to finish their contracts, and not renewing them.
'Through a combination of natural attrition and non-renewal of work permits, companies are minimising the need to retrench their local workers,' he said.
On Spur's effects, Mr Lim said there is an increasing number of companies that are sending excess workers for retraining or upgrading, thus lessening the need for layoffs. Even if they are retrenched, workers armed with new skills will be able to land jobs quickly.
Last night, Mr Lim promised that everything possible would be done to help workers.
'Even if our heads are saying that its going to be more than 30,000 retrenchments, and an unemployment rate higher than 5.2 per cent, our hearts say 'die die must try'.'
'With all the policy instruments and programmes in place now, it is a time for action...to work company by company, worker by worker, job by job.'
- The Straits Times
But the Government, unions and employers are doing all they can to keep the numbers down, and things would be much worse if not for initiatives like the Jobs Credit scheme, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Swee Say said last night.
Speaking after a People's Association event at the Nanyang Polytechnic last night, Mr Lim said that, because the current downturn is deeper and more severe than during the Asian financial crisis in 1998, he expects retrenchments to be higher than the 30,000 then.
In the first quarter of this year alone, he expects that 3,500 unionised workers will lose their jobs, up from 1,500 in the fourth quarter of last year.
Layoffs have accelerated after the Chinese New Year, said Mr Lim, who is also the secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress.
'This week alone, we've already seen one sizeable retrenchment of 150 workers within the unionised sector.'
On the unemployment rate, which hit a record of 5.2 per cent in 2003, when Sars hit, Mr Lim said a comparison of both situations shows 'there's no reason why we can hope' the rate will be below that.
But, he said, the Government is putting in its 'very best effort' to mitigate the effects of the downturn, through initiatives like the Jobs Credit scheme and the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur), a $600 million training plan aimed at helping workers upgrade and retrain.
Mr Lim said encouraging signs are emerging.
'Because of these programmes, we are seeing some of these companies trying to delay retrenchments as far as they can.
'Where retrenchments are unavoidable, they try to keep the number as low as possible,' he said.
He gave the example of one company which downsized its workforce by allowing its foreign workers to finish their contracts, and not renewing them.
'Through a combination of natural attrition and non-renewal of work permits, companies are minimising the need to retrench their local workers,' he said.
On Spur's effects, Mr Lim said there is an increasing number of companies that are sending excess workers for retraining or upgrading, thus lessening the need for layoffs. Even if they are retrenched, workers armed with new skills will be able to land jobs quickly.
Last night, Mr Lim promised that everything possible would be done to help workers.
'Even if our heads are saying that its going to be more than 30,000 retrenchments, and an unemployment rate higher than 5.2 per cent, our hearts say 'die die must try'.'
'With all the policy instruments and programmes in place now, it is a time for action...to work company by company, worker by worker, job by job.'
- The Straits Times
Aid measures aimed at helping the vulnerable ride out difficult times
vulnerable groups that will receive new help from the Government this year.
But many of the aid measures are conditional and aimed at getting the recipients back on their feet as quickly as possible - a longstanding policy of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS).
Still, the new lifelines being tossed in this recession suggest the ministry is also ready to be flexible.
It is letting breadwinners who are laid off stay twice as long on the ComCare Work Support Scheme, from which they can receive monthly cash grants.
Another major enhancement is letting low-income divorced women, with up to two children, enter a programme that will give grants of up to $100,000, which encompass housing and bursaries.
Also, poor families on Public Assistance will get up to $120 more a month.
However, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, the MCYS minister, stressed that zero entitlement is the overriding policy.
'Our social assistance policies must continue to encourage empowerment, not entitlement; dignity, not dependence; self-reliance, not state-reliance.'
He struck this deliberate balance throughout the six-hour debate on his ministry's $1.9 billion budget.
Still, his decision to increase Public Assistance - a third time since 2007 - cheered MPs such as Dr Lily Neo (Jalan Besar GRC) and Mr Sam Tan (Tanjong Pagar GRC). It is a consistent focus of both.
From April 1, the sums will rise by between $30 and $120 a month.
An elderly person living alone can expect $360, up from $330. A family of four will get $950 instead of $830.
These changes help 2,900 households meet basic living expenses. But they also have a web of extra aid, from rental rebates to free medical care.
On the new rate, Mr Tan asked the minister to 'stretch this kindness by raising the amount to $400' so the needy may have a reasonable quality of life.
Saving jobs is a prime focus of the Budget's Resilience Package. In this light, MCYS will let laid-off breadwinners stay on the Work Support Scheme for up to one year, instead of six months.
While they find a job or upgrade their skills, their families get temporary aid including cash, medical care and education.
'We recognise that in this year, it may be difficult for some people to get jobs, no matter how much we train them,' Dr Balakrishnan said, explaining the flexibility. He also made a special pitch for 'investing in children'. Besides new subsidies for young children, his ministry will boost the supply of childcare centres. Another 200 centres will open by 2013.
To build stronger families, the Home Ownership Plus Education (Hope) scheme will be extended to divorced mothers with no more than two children.
He announced this move in response to Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade GRC), who had campaigned for it.
Originally, Hope was for low-income intact families with two children at most.
They get incentives of up to $100,000. This includes a $50,000 housing grant, training grant, and bursaries for children covering pre-school to university - to help them break out of the poverty cycle.
The situation for the squeezed lower middle class, however, is less clear.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad (Hong Kah GRC) said a family staring at a wage cut - for example, from $5,000 to $2,500 - will not get social assistance.
He suggested: 'For a period of time, can MCYS be flexible on the upper cap, increasing ComCare's upper limit to $3,500 or more for short-term assistance.'
The minister replied: 'The key imperative for this group is a job - not welfare...Let me also be blunt, I cannot give the middle class more than I give to those who can barely make ends meet.'
However, he returned to the idea of flexibility at several points in the debate, which saw some 30 MPs rise to engage him on various issues, including sports.
He said the ministry was being 'more flexible at the edges'. Parents with adult children who cannot support them will get a closer look, for instance.
He will consider whether the Maintenance of Parents Act should get more legislative teeth.
- The Straits Times
But many of the aid measures are conditional and aimed at getting the recipients back on their feet as quickly as possible - a longstanding policy of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS).
Still, the new lifelines being tossed in this recession suggest the ministry is also ready to be flexible.
It is letting breadwinners who are laid off stay twice as long on the ComCare Work Support Scheme, from which they can receive monthly cash grants.
Another major enhancement is letting low-income divorced women, with up to two children, enter a programme that will give grants of up to $100,000, which encompass housing and bursaries.
Also, poor families on Public Assistance will get up to $120 more a month.
However, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, the MCYS minister, stressed that zero entitlement is the overriding policy.
'Our social assistance policies must continue to encourage empowerment, not entitlement; dignity, not dependence; self-reliance, not state-reliance.'
He struck this deliberate balance throughout the six-hour debate on his ministry's $1.9 billion budget.
Still, his decision to increase Public Assistance - a third time since 2007 - cheered MPs such as Dr Lily Neo (Jalan Besar GRC) and Mr Sam Tan (Tanjong Pagar GRC). It is a consistent focus of both.
From April 1, the sums will rise by between $30 and $120 a month.
An elderly person living alone can expect $360, up from $330. A family of four will get $950 instead of $830.
These changes help 2,900 households meet basic living expenses. But they also have a web of extra aid, from rental rebates to free medical care.
On the new rate, Mr Tan asked the minister to 'stretch this kindness by raising the amount to $400' so the needy may have a reasonable quality of life.
Saving jobs is a prime focus of the Budget's Resilience Package. In this light, MCYS will let laid-off breadwinners stay on the Work Support Scheme for up to one year, instead of six months.
While they find a job or upgrade their skills, their families get temporary aid including cash, medical care and education.
'We recognise that in this year, it may be difficult for some people to get jobs, no matter how much we train them,' Dr Balakrishnan said, explaining the flexibility. He also made a special pitch for 'investing in children'. Besides new subsidies for young children, his ministry will boost the supply of childcare centres. Another 200 centres will open by 2013.
To build stronger families, the Home Ownership Plus Education (Hope) scheme will be extended to divorced mothers with no more than two children.
He announced this move in response to Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade GRC), who had campaigned for it.
Originally, Hope was for low-income intact families with two children at most.
They get incentives of up to $100,000. This includes a $50,000 housing grant, training grant, and bursaries for children covering pre-school to university - to help them break out of the poverty cycle.
The situation for the squeezed lower middle class, however, is less clear.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad (Hong Kah GRC) said a family staring at a wage cut - for example, from $5,000 to $2,500 - will not get social assistance.
He suggested: 'For a period of time, can MCYS be flexible on the upper cap, increasing ComCare's upper limit to $3,500 or more for short-term assistance.'
The minister replied: 'The key imperative for this group is a job - not welfare...Let me also be blunt, I cannot give the middle class more than I give to those who can barely make ends meet.'
However, he returned to the idea of flexibility at several points in the debate, which saw some 30 MPs rise to engage him on various issues, including sports.
He said the ministry was being 'more flexible at the edges'. Parents with adult children who cannot support them will get a closer look, for instance.
He will consider whether the Maintenance of Parents Act should get more legislative teeth.
- The Straits Times
Feb 11, 2009
How to get a job
I SPOKE with five executives who hire people. They gave me five great job-hunting tips. Check them out.
1. Negotiate from strength
If you have a job now, you are in a stronger position than if you are unemployed. Hang onto your present job and look for a better one on the side.
A bold but risky strategy is to let your employer know you are looking. He might boost your pay to convince you to stay.
Be careful, though. It could backfire. Employers like loyalty and it is usually better not to let the boss know you intend to abandon ship.
2. Meet their needs
Most employers have a specific job to fill. Learn the job requirements, then structure your cover letter and resume to match them.
Emphasise the positive but don't say a single word that is not true. Resume lies - even small ones - can comeback to haunt you.
If you are going to brag, do it at the interview. It is verbal, off the record and you can sound like Superman with less risk of it getting you into trouble later.
If the boss asks, 'Do you have a particular skill?' the correct answer is usually 'Yes'. Save 'No' for jobs where you have absolutely no knowledge in the field. In a job interview after I graduated, an employer asked me if I knew Management Accounting.
I said 'Sorry, but I don't.' Actually, I had taken one course and knew a bit about it. I should have simply said 'Yes' since it is the answer he was looking for. I could have taken my minimal expertise and developed it further on the job. Instead, I advertised that I didn't have the skill he was looking for and - you guessed it - I got a rejection letter.
3. Don't play hard-to-get
Don't bargain too much during the interview. Bosses tell me that most positions have only a narrow salary range, so they don't have much room to negotiate.
It may be better to take what you are offered. After you are hired, you can work your way up the career and salary ladder.
Regardless of the position, show enthusiasm. Employers like to hire someone who is keen.
If you play hard-to-get, you risk sounding as though you don't care. Bosses like to see a 'can do' attitude. They want someone who will throw themselves into their work.
4. Getting to know you
One recruiter said: 'We dislike hiring someone we don't know but usually,we have no choice.'
Reduce the employer's risk by getting to know them. Stay around. Go to lunch. Have drinks. Prolong the interview. Don't be in a rush to leave.
An executive told me: 'Between two job seekers, I am more likely to hire one in which I have invested my valuable time. A longer interview works to the candidate's advantage.'
At the interview, try to make the employer feel comfortable. Don't show up looking weird. A human resource professional told me:
'Most women do OK with style but men need help.'
The most standard interview attire for men is a white shirt. It shows respect if you also wear a tie. Don't wear an earring. Un-spike your hair. If you have a tattoo, hide it. Try looking more like Frank Sinatra than Sid Vicious.
5. Where to search
Here are three good online job sites. In brackets is the number of Singapore jobs they list.
www.jobsdb.com (13,000)
www.st701.com (7,000)
www.monster.com (2,000)
- The New Paper
1. Negotiate from strength
If you have a job now, you are in a stronger position than if you are unemployed. Hang onto your present job and look for a better one on the side.
A bold but risky strategy is to let your employer know you are looking. He might boost your pay to convince you to stay.
Be careful, though. It could backfire. Employers like loyalty and it is usually better not to let the boss know you intend to abandon ship.
2. Meet their needs
Most employers have a specific job to fill. Learn the job requirements, then structure your cover letter and resume to match them.
Emphasise the positive but don't say a single word that is not true. Resume lies - even small ones - can comeback to haunt you.
If you are going to brag, do it at the interview. It is verbal, off the record and you can sound like Superman with less risk of it getting you into trouble later.
If the boss asks, 'Do you have a particular skill?' the correct answer is usually 'Yes'. Save 'No' for jobs where you have absolutely no knowledge in the field. In a job interview after I graduated, an employer asked me if I knew Management Accounting.
I said 'Sorry, but I don't.' Actually, I had taken one course and knew a bit about it. I should have simply said 'Yes' since it is the answer he was looking for. I could have taken my minimal expertise and developed it further on the job. Instead, I advertised that I didn't have the skill he was looking for and - you guessed it - I got a rejection letter.
3. Don't play hard-to-get
Don't bargain too much during the interview. Bosses tell me that most positions have only a narrow salary range, so they don't have much room to negotiate.
It may be better to take what you are offered. After you are hired, you can work your way up the career and salary ladder.
Regardless of the position, show enthusiasm. Employers like to hire someone who is keen.
If you play hard-to-get, you risk sounding as though you don't care. Bosses like to see a 'can do' attitude. They want someone who will throw themselves into their work.
4. Getting to know you
One recruiter said: 'We dislike hiring someone we don't know but usually,we have no choice.'
Reduce the employer's risk by getting to know them. Stay around. Go to lunch. Have drinks. Prolong the interview. Don't be in a rush to leave.
An executive told me: 'Between two job seekers, I am more likely to hire one in which I have invested my valuable time. A longer interview works to the candidate's advantage.'
At the interview, try to make the employer feel comfortable. Don't show up looking weird. A human resource professional told me:
'Most women do OK with style but men need help.'
The most standard interview attire for men is a white shirt. It shows respect if you also wear a tie. Don't wear an earring. Un-spike your hair. If you have a tattoo, hide it. Try looking more like Frank Sinatra than Sid Vicious.
5. Where to search
Here are three good online job sites. In brackets is the number of Singapore jobs they list.
www.jobsdb.com (13,000)
www.st701.com (7,000)
www.monster.com (2,000)
- The New Paper
650 jobs axed at STATS ChipPAC?
HER night shift was over but Madam Marzna Sulaiman stood outside the STATS ChipPAC factory in Yishun for more than 45 minutes yesterday morning, waiting to have a last breakfast meeting with friends.
“I don’t know when I will next see them,” said the 55-year-old production auditor, who was one of 650 workers — both production and professional — laid off by the chip-testing company over a two-day period starting yesterday.
Madam Marzna joined the growing ranks of workers being retrenched in the electronics industry: There have been 2,350 laid off so far this year, just 24 less than the total for the whole of last year.
STATS had announced in December plans to reduce its global workforce by 1,600. Then, the company — which has operations in 10 countries — had said “the majority of the restructuring will be made outside of Singapore”. When asked to comment yesterday on why so many of the job losses were here, STATS declined to comment.
Of the 650 workers affected, it is not known how many are locals. But at least five of the 20 affected workers Today interviewed were Singaporean. Half of the foreigners, including Malaysians, Filipinos and Chinese nationals, said they had volunteered to be retrenched. Three workers told Today they did not like the new shift arrangements. One, who wanted to be known as Jamaliah, said: “The package is quite good. I will take a rest then hope to find work later.”
The package seems to be the market norm: A month’s pay for each year of service, for those with the company for more than three years; while those who worked for less than three years get two week’s pay per year, according to the workers.
The United Workers of Electronic and Electrical Industries (UWEEI) union — which represented the workers in negotiations — felt a “fair deal” was struck, said executive secretary Halimah Yacob. The affected workers will be put through an employability camp; those not retrenched will also be offered assistance in re-training, she said.
Global semiconductor sales were severely hit by the economic turmoil, resulting in the first year-on-year drop since 2001. According to the United States-based Semiconductor Industry Association, in the Asia-Pacific, sales were down nearly 22 per cent in December from a year before.
Mdm Halimah said UWEEI would continue to work with companies through the Government-subsidised Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience to save jobs. “We will do whatever we can to help both workers and companies,” she vowed.
Mdm Marzna, who was with STATS for 12 years, said she would take a break to look after her grandchild. But her friend, who declined to be named, plans to sign up for re-training immediately. “I don’t know how long money will last,” said the 29-year-old mother of two. “The economy seems bad and I don’t want to take chances.”
- TODAY newspaper
“I don’t know when I will next see them,” said the 55-year-old production auditor, who was one of 650 workers — both production and professional — laid off by the chip-testing company over a two-day period starting yesterday.
Madam Marzna joined the growing ranks of workers being retrenched in the electronics industry: There have been 2,350 laid off so far this year, just 24 less than the total for the whole of last year.
STATS had announced in December plans to reduce its global workforce by 1,600. Then, the company — which has operations in 10 countries — had said “the majority of the restructuring will be made outside of Singapore”. When asked to comment yesterday on why so many of the job losses were here, STATS declined to comment.
Of the 650 workers affected, it is not known how many are locals. But at least five of the 20 affected workers Today interviewed were Singaporean. Half of the foreigners, including Malaysians, Filipinos and Chinese nationals, said they had volunteered to be retrenched. Three workers told Today they did not like the new shift arrangements. One, who wanted to be known as Jamaliah, said: “The package is quite good. I will take a rest then hope to find work later.”
The package seems to be the market norm: A month’s pay for each year of service, for those with the company for more than three years; while those who worked for less than three years get two week’s pay per year, according to the workers.
The United Workers of Electronic and Electrical Industries (UWEEI) union — which represented the workers in negotiations — felt a “fair deal” was struck, said executive secretary Halimah Yacob. The affected workers will be put through an employability camp; those not retrenched will also be offered assistance in re-training, she said.
Global semiconductor sales were severely hit by the economic turmoil, resulting in the first year-on-year drop since 2001. According to the United States-based Semiconductor Industry Association, in the Asia-Pacific, sales were down nearly 22 per cent in December from a year before.
Mdm Halimah said UWEEI would continue to work with companies through the Government-subsidised Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience to save jobs. “We will do whatever we can to help both workers and companies,” she vowed.
Mdm Marzna, who was with STATS for 12 years, said she would take a break to look after her grandchild. But her friend, who declined to be named, plans to sign up for re-training immediately. “I don’t know how long money will last,” said the 29-year-old mother of two. “The economy seems bad and I don’t want to take chances.”
- TODAY newspaper
Feb 10, 2009
Would you rather work less or lose your job?
In April, Ms L.C. Tay will work one day less every other week. Her salary will also be cut by about 10 per cent.
This comes after MediaCorp, her employer, announced cost-cutting measures last month to cope with the economic slowdown.
But the 35-year-old executive is unfazed. 'In such a climate, any cost-cutting is to be expected,' she said.
'I'm actually quite happy that I can work a shorter work week. It makes for a more balanced work life.'
The idea of a shorter work week is becoming more attractive to companies here trying to stay afloat while saving jobs.
Since last November, more than 18,000 workers from unionised companies have gone on a shorter work week. They now work from three to five days.
Singapore is not alone in adopting such a measure.
Across the Causeway, Malaysian businesses have also shortened their work week to save jobs. Falling demand for exports there has seen several factories closing.
In Taiwan, the practice of making workers take unpaid leave, euphemistically called 'unpaid vacation', has spread to key sectors such as liquid crystal display manufacturing.
Tens of thousands of businesses in Britain are also scaling back on working hours this year, with workers facing a return to a three-day work week. In the 1970s, the Labour government had allowed this, to save electricity following industrial action.
Here, as the current slowdown bites harder, more workers are likely to be put on a shorter work week, no doubt partly as companies respond to calls by the Government and unions to consider this alternative to retrenchment.
Last November, the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore National Employers Federation and the National Trades Union Congress got together and issued a revised set of tripartite guidelines on managing excess manpower.
A shorter work week was among the recommendations to help companies manage excess manpower.
Union leaders and human resource practitioners hailed the recommendation.
Mr David Leong, managing director of PeopleWorldwide Consulting, a human resource firm, felt the shorter work week has become 'necessary' in these difficult times.
'For companies undergoing severe shortage of demands or dry pipelines, manpower deployment is a topmost priority as it may drain cash flow and affect business sustainability,' he said.
'When machine times are down, companies contend with depreciation and loan costs. For excess labour, it is a pure drain if the resource cannot be deployed where they are most productive.'
He said that given the options, including retrenchment, companies should try shortening workers' work week first 'so that they may still have a job while the companies stretch the dollar'.
Mr Rajendran Govindarajoo, president of the Chemical Industries Employees' Union, agrees.
'If you implement a shorter work week, everybody feels a little bit of pain, but if you go for retrenchment, some people will feel a lot of pain,' he said.
He knows of at least 20 plastic and speciality chemicals companies that have recently implemented a shorter work week. Several had wanted to axe jobs, until the unions stepped in.
Echoing his views, Mr David Ang, executive director of Singapore Human Resources Institute, said: 'Between losing a job and working a shorter work week, the choice is quite obvious.'
A shorter work week, however, may translate into pay cuts ranging from 10 per cent to 50 per cent.
One major employer that has made the move to a shorter work week is MediaCorp.
From April, all of its 2,500 employees will work a four-day work week every other week. The company's cost-cutting measures will shave 10 per cent off its annual wage bill.
Mr Ang pointed out that while companies will save on their annual wage bill in such efforts, the bulk of the cost savings will actually come from operation costs.
Kato Spring, which supplies precision parts to TV, mobile phone and printer manufacturers, has shaved off 30 per cent from its electricity bill after it shortened its work week from six to five days and scrapped its shift-work system last November.
The positives
Firms thinking long term may see the benefit of a shorter work week in helping them retain talent.
Mr Leong said: 'Some companies may have trained their workers for specific roles and to immediately release them when there is a down time may mean that the workers may join competitors.'
Apart from seeing their pay cut as a result of the shorter week work, workers may have to work longer hours each day or take on more duties as the work pool shrinks.
But union leaders and human resource practitioners said workers can nevertheless benefit from the extra day or days off.
Mr Ang Wah Lai, head of the Singapore Union of Broadcasting Employees, said: 'If you just go for a plain wage cut, people will be very unhappy. At least now, they will have an extra day off. Our work can get very stressful. I think some workers appreciate the day off.'
Mr David Ang said workers can use this extra time to be with their families, go on a trip or pursue other interests.
One productive way to spend the time would be to go for retraining, which also helps prepare for the upturn.
With this in mind, the Government has come up with the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur) to encourage firms to send their workers for skills upgrading. Some companies have already done so.
Spur will pay for two things: up to 90 per cent of the course fees, and up to 90 per cent of a worker's salary, capped at $6.80 an hour.
Jobless workers will also be sponsored by the Government. The low-skilled ones will be paid $4 for every hour they are on training, and the higher-skilled, up to $1,000 a month.
Human resource experts said the key to making the move to a shorter work week a success is assuring workers that they are not getting a raw deal.
Mr David Ang said: 'Communication is very important because you do not want your staff to think they are being taken advantage of.'
Workers and unions should be consulted on the implementation and on the level of payment to be given to the affected workers.
The tripartite guidelines' advice is that the work week should not be shortened by more than two days in a week, and not last for more than two months at any one instance, subject to review.
Mr David Ang said bosses may need to show more flexibility in such trying times. For instance, there might be workers who could be allowed to hold a second job.
He said some affected workers may find their reduced salary a problem and seek a second job as they now have more time on their hands.
'Should employees be allowed to have another job which does not directly conflict with their main job? We ought to rethink such a policy,' he added.
- The Straits Times
This comes after MediaCorp, her employer, announced cost-cutting measures last month to cope with the economic slowdown.
But the 35-year-old executive is unfazed. 'In such a climate, any cost-cutting is to be expected,' she said.
'I'm actually quite happy that I can work a shorter work week. It makes for a more balanced work life.'
The idea of a shorter work week is becoming more attractive to companies here trying to stay afloat while saving jobs.
Since last November, more than 18,000 workers from unionised companies have gone on a shorter work week. They now work from three to five days.
Singapore is not alone in adopting such a measure.
Across the Causeway, Malaysian businesses have also shortened their work week to save jobs. Falling demand for exports there has seen several factories closing.
In Taiwan, the practice of making workers take unpaid leave, euphemistically called 'unpaid vacation', has spread to key sectors such as liquid crystal display manufacturing.
Tens of thousands of businesses in Britain are also scaling back on working hours this year, with workers facing a return to a three-day work week. In the 1970s, the Labour government had allowed this, to save electricity following industrial action.
Here, as the current slowdown bites harder, more workers are likely to be put on a shorter work week, no doubt partly as companies respond to calls by the Government and unions to consider this alternative to retrenchment.
Last November, the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore National Employers Federation and the National Trades Union Congress got together and issued a revised set of tripartite guidelines on managing excess manpower.
A shorter work week was among the recommendations to help companies manage excess manpower.
Union leaders and human resource practitioners hailed the recommendation.
Mr David Leong, managing director of PeopleWorldwide Consulting, a human resource firm, felt the shorter work week has become 'necessary' in these difficult times.
'For companies undergoing severe shortage of demands or dry pipelines, manpower deployment is a topmost priority as it may drain cash flow and affect business sustainability,' he said.
'When machine times are down, companies contend with depreciation and loan costs. For excess labour, it is a pure drain if the resource cannot be deployed where they are most productive.'
He said that given the options, including retrenchment, companies should try shortening workers' work week first 'so that they may still have a job while the companies stretch the dollar'.
Mr Rajendran Govindarajoo, president of the Chemical Industries Employees' Union, agrees.
'If you implement a shorter work week, everybody feels a little bit of pain, but if you go for retrenchment, some people will feel a lot of pain,' he said.
He knows of at least 20 plastic and speciality chemicals companies that have recently implemented a shorter work week. Several had wanted to axe jobs, until the unions stepped in.
Echoing his views, Mr David Ang, executive director of Singapore Human Resources Institute, said: 'Between losing a job and working a shorter work week, the choice is quite obvious.'
A shorter work week, however, may translate into pay cuts ranging from 10 per cent to 50 per cent.
One major employer that has made the move to a shorter work week is MediaCorp.
From April, all of its 2,500 employees will work a four-day work week every other week. The company's cost-cutting measures will shave 10 per cent off its annual wage bill.
Mr Ang pointed out that while companies will save on their annual wage bill in such efforts, the bulk of the cost savings will actually come from operation costs.
Kato Spring, which supplies precision parts to TV, mobile phone and printer manufacturers, has shaved off 30 per cent from its electricity bill after it shortened its work week from six to five days and scrapped its shift-work system last November.
The positives
Firms thinking long term may see the benefit of a shorter work week in helping them retain talent.
Mr Leong said: 'Some companies may have trained their workers for specific roles and to immediately release them when there is a down time may mean that the workers may join competitors.'
Apart from seeing their pay cut as a result of the shorter week work, workers may have to work longer hours each day or take on more duties as the work pool shrinks.
But union leaders and human resource practitioners said workers can nevertheless benefit from the extra day or days off.
Mr Ang Wah Lai, head of the Singapore Union of Broadcasting Employees, said: 'If you just go for a plain wage cut, people will be very unhappy. At least now, they will have an extra day off. Our work can get very stressful. I think some workers appreciate the day off.'
Mr David Ang said workers can use this extra time to be with their families, go on a trip or pursue other interests.
One productive way to spend the time would be to go for retraining, which also helps prepare for the upturn.
With this in mind, the Government has come up with the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur) to encourage firms to send their workers for skills upgrading. Some companies have already done so.
Spur will pay for two things: up to 90 per cent of the course fees, and up to 90 per cent of a worker's salary, capped at $6.80 an hour.
Jobless workers will also be sponsored by the Government. The low-skilled ones will be paid $4 for every hour they are on training, and the higher-skilled, up to $1,000 a month.
Human resource experts said the key to making the move to a shorter work week a success is assuring workers that they are not getting a raw deal.
Mr David Ang said: 'Communication is very important because you do not want your staff to think they are being taken advantage of.'
Workers and unions should be consulted on the implementation and on the level of payment to be given to the affected workers.
The tripartite guidelines' advice is that the work week should not be shortened by more than two days in a week, and not last for more than two months at any one instance, subject to review.
Mr David Ang said bosses may need to show more flexibility in such trying times. For instance, there might be workers who could be allowed to hold a second job.
He said some affected workers may find their reduced salary a problem and seek a second job as they now have more time on their hands.
'Should employees be allowed to have another job which does not directly conflict with their main job? We ought to rethink such a policy,' he added.
- The Straits Times
Trimming staff even when doing well?
YOUR company may be expanding, but your job might still not be safe.
In one instance, three staff from Parkroyal Hotels and Resorts found this out when they lost their jobs last November due to role redundancy.
This followed the integration of the corporate offices of Parkroyal and Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts.
The restructuring, however, boosted staff strength of the hotels’ listed parent company, Hotel Plaza Limited, to 87 — up from 85 previously, said a spokesperson.
She added that the integration had been planned since the middle of last year, and “has been communicated openly with all associates in the past few months including potential changes in the management structure”.
Up to 10 positions were made redundant. But the three staff who lost their jobs claimed they were caught off-guard.
“We expected maybe changes in portfolio, but not to be axed,” said one of them. “At our monthly staff cocktail sessions, we were told we could look forward to a better future with restructuring, and (we were) asked what we would like to do.”
There are various reasons why companies retrench even as they expand. Healthcare group Parkway Holdings, for example, announced on Dec 22 that it was going to manage a new hospital in Abu Dhabi.
This was just one week after it announced retrenchments of up to 148 staff and cuts in senior management’s salaries by 15 to 35 per cent.
Its group president and chief executive officer Dr Lim Cheok Peng said the retrenchments were to “contain costs”, even as the company sought to grow its business.
The recently-announced Jobs Credit scheme — whereby the Government helps foot 12 per cent of the first $2,500 of local employees’ salaries — will only help save jobs that are temporarily redundant, said labour economist Hui Weng Tat.
“If the redundancy is permanent, or beyond a year or even several months, keeping the workers would involve footing 88 per cent of the cost,” said Associate Professor Hui of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
Companies could also retrench and re-hire to reduce their wage bill, said labour economist Rosalind Chew of Nanyang Technological University.
New staff recruited to replace the retrenched workers are likely to be fresh graduates or younger workers, or they could be hired on a temporary basis, she said.
“This has been a common practice among companies. That is one of the reasons for the move towards the flexible wage system, as under this system, the gap between the starting wage and the highest wage is much smaller than in the case of the seniority wage system,” said Assoc Prof Chew.
A flexible wage system links a company’s performance with rewards for employees, and includes components such as variable bonuses, annual wage supplements and annual increments.
According to the Ministry of Manpower’s labour statistics, 23 workers in the hotel industry were retrenched in the first nine months of 2008.
For the fourth quarter, 8,500 workers were made redundant — accounting for over half of the year’s total retrenchments — but breakdown by industry is unavailable as yet.
Mr Koh Juan Kiat, executive director of the Singapore National Employers Federation said the redeployment of staff and shorter work weeks was common in the hotel sector during the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak, when tourism was badly hit.
- TODAY newspaper
In one instance, three staff from Parkroyal Hotels and Resorts found this out when they lost their jobs last November due to role redundancy.
This followed the integration of the corporate offices of Parkroyal and Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts.
The restructuring, however, boosted staff strength of the hotels’ listed parent company, Hotel Plaza Limited, to 87 — up from 85 previously, said a spokesperson.
She added that the integration had been planned since the middle of last year, and “has been communicated openly with all associates in the past few months including potential changes in the management structure”.
Up to 10 positions were made redundant. But the three staff who lost their jobs claimed they were caught off-guard.
“We expected maybe changes in portfolio, but not to be axed,” said one of them. “At our monthly staff cocktail sessions, we were told we could look forward to a better future with restructuring, and (we were) asked what we would like to do.”
There are various reasons why companies retrench even as they expand. Healthcare group Parkway Holdings, for example, announced on Dec 22 that it was going to manage a new hospital in Abu Dhabi.
This was just one week after it announced retrenchments of up to 148 staff and cuts in senior management’s salaries by 15 to 35 per cent.
Its group president and chief executive officer Dr Lim Cheok Peng said the retrenchments were to “contain costs”, even as the company sought to grow its business.
The recently-announced Jobs Credit scheme — whereby the Government helps foot 12 per cent of the first $2,500 of local employees’ salaries — will only help save jobs that are temporarily redundant, said labour economist Hui Weng Tat.
“If the redundancy is permanent, or beyond a year or even several months, keeping the workers would involve footing 88 per cent of the cost,” said Associate Professor Hui of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
Companies could also retrench and re-hire to reduce their wage bill, said labour economist Rosalind Chew of Nanyang Technological University.
New staff recruited to replace the retrenched workers are likely to be fresh graduates or younger workers, or they could be hired on a temporary basis, she said.
“This has been a common practice among companies. That is one of the reasons for the move towards the flexible wage system, as under this system, the gap between the starting wage and the highest wage is much smaller than in the case of the seniority wage system,” said Assoc Prof Chew.
A flexible wage system links a company’s performance with rewards for employees, and includes components such as variable bonuses, annual wage supplements and annual increments.
According to the Ministry of Manpower’s labour statistics, 23 workers in the hotel industry were retrenched in the first nine months of 2008.
For the fourth quarter, 8,500 workers were made redundant — accounting for over half of the year’s total retrenchments — but breakdown by industry is unavailable as yet.
Mr Koh Juan Kiat, executive director of the Singapore National Employers Federation said the redeployment of staff and shorter work weeks was common in the hotel sector during the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak, when tourism was badly hit.
- TODAY newspaper
Feb 9, 2009
900 new biomed jobs
DESPITE facing challenges from the slowing global economy, the biomedical sector will create 900 new jobs this year as companies go ahead with their expansion plans here.
These include firms such as Wyeth, Abbott, GSK Bio, Schering Plough and Perkin Elmer, Minister of Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang said in Parliament on Monday.
To date, 11 of the world's top pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have already invested in more than 25 manufacturing facilities in Singapore, with another seven new plants set to open in the next three years.
'We are confident that more will come to Singapore so that they can reach out to the Asian market more effectively,' said Mr Lim. 'Demand for effective medicines will continue to grow because people become more affluent and people age.'
Singapore should also 'prepare for the upturn' by entering new niches, such as medical technology and biologics, which are complex molecules derived from cells of mammals, bacteria and yeast.
Biologics in particular is expected to grow at 13 per cent a year, compared to just 0.9 per cent for the traditional pharmaceutical market, Mr Lim said.
- The Straits Times
These include firms such as Wyeth, Abbott, GSK Bio, Schering Plough and Perkin Elmer, Minister of Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang said in Parliament on Monday.
To date, 11 of the world's top pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have already invested in more than 25 manufacturing facilities in Singapore, with another seven new plants set to open in the next three years.
'We are confident that more will come to Singapore so that they can reach out to the Asian market more effectively,' said Mr Lim. 'Demand for effective medicines will continue to grow because people become more affluent and people age.'
Singapore should also 'prepare for the upturn' by entering new niches, such as medical technology and biologics, which are complex molecules derived from cells of mammals, bacteria and yeast.
Biologics in particular is expected to grow at 13 per cent a year, compared to just 0.9 per cent for the traditional pharmaceutical market, Mr Lim said.
- The Straits Times
Feb 5, 2009
Labour chief backs Jobs Credit
LABOUR chief Lim Swee Say yesterday threw the full backing of the labour movement behind the Government's Jobs Credit scheme which aims to help save jobs by giving companies cash grants.
Doubts expressed by a number of MPs over the effectiveness of the scheme missed the point, as it was not meant to save all jobs, but to minimise layoffs, he indicated, as he painted a picture of looming unemployment worldwide.
One scenario has world unemployment reaching 51 million new unemployed this year.
Singapore's resident unemployment rate was 3.2 per cent last year, and is projected by some analysts to rise to 5 per cent this year.
Said Mr Lim, rising in Parliament as the 43rd MP to speak on the Budget: 'Many Singaporean workers are worried (whether) retrenchment will continue to rise rapidly...Will they be one among the 51 million globally to join the ranks of the unemployed?
'If you ask me how far we should go to try to save jobs as we go through this downturn, the realistic side of me says: 'Let's go as far as we can'.'
In any case, the Jobs Credit scheme has already had a positive effect on some firms, he noted, pointing to examples cited by Nominated MP Cham Hui Fong
Ms Cham, a director of industrial relations at the National Trades Union Congress, told Parliament earlier that thanks to the cash grant which would ease cash flow, some firms had deferred plans to retrench.
Others are sharing the cash grant with workers by giving them a small wage increase or sending them for training.
These examples show that the scheme works, Mr Lim said.
The $4.5 billion Jobs Credit scheme announced on Jan 22 subsidises employers' wage bill to the tune of 12 per cent of the first $2,500 paid to every Singaporean and permanent resident worker.
Mr Lim also highlighted another rationale for the Jobs Credit scheme: to protect workers' Central Provident Fund savings.
'Many Singaporean workers are concerned (that) even if they keep their job, will they be able to keep their CPF? Employers' contribution to CPF has declined over the years...to 14.5 per cent now. Many workers' take-home pay has already been affected. There's no overtime, shorter work week and so on. So any significant cut in CPF this time round will hurt even more,' he noted.
- The Straits Times
Doubts expressed by a number of MPs over the effectiveness of the scheme missed the point, as it was not meant to save all jobs, but to minimise layoffs, he indicated, as he painted a picture of looming unemployment worldwide.
One scenario has world unemployment reaching 51 million new unemployed this year.
Singapore's resident unemployment rate was 3.2 per cent last year, and is projected by some analysts to rise to 5 per cent this year.
Said Mr Lim, rising in Parliament as the 43rd MP to speak on the Budget: 'Many Singaporean workers are worried (whether) retrenchment will continue to rise rapidly...Will they be one among the 51 million globally to join the ranks of the unemployed?
'If you ask me how far we should go to try to save jobs as we go through this downturn, the realistic side of me says: 'Let's go as far as we can'.'
In any case, the Jobs Credit scheme has already had a positive effect on some firms, he noted, pointing to examples cited by Nominated MP Cham Hui Fong
Ms Cham, a director of industrial relations at the National Trades Union Congress, told Parliament earlier that thanks to the cash grant which would ease cash flow, some firms had deferred plans to retrench.
Others are sharing the cash grant with workers by giving them a small wage increase or sending them for training.
These examples show that the scheme works, Mr Lim said.
The $4.5 billion Jobs Credit scheme announced on Jan 22 subsidises employers' wage bill to the tune of 12 per cent of the first $2,500 paid to every Singaporean and permanent resident worker.
Mr Lim also highlighted another rationale for the Jobs Credit scheme: to protect workers' Central Provident Fund savings.
'Many Singaporean workers are concerned (that) even if they keep their job, will they be able to keep their CPF? Employers' contribution to CPF has declined over the years...to 14.5 per cent now. Many workers' take-home pay has already been affected. There's no overtime, shorter work week and so on. So any significant cut in CPF this time round will hurt even more,' he noted.
- The Straits Times
THE Government should provide temporary financial relief of up to $500 a month for workers who have lost their jobs in the recession, said Non-Constit
THE Government should provide temporary financial relief of up to $500 a month for workers who have lost their jobs in the recession, said Non-Constituency MP Sylvia Lim yesterday.
'In this most trying of times, this will be an important relief to job seekers while they continue their job search,' said the Workers' Party chairman, mooting the idea of a 'Job Seekers' Allowance'.
Noting that the Government rolled out programmes that paid jobless older and low-skilled workers a small allowance while they retrain, she said there were still gaps in the system that a Job Seekers' Allowance would plug.
For instance, in the case of the government-sponsored training programme, called Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur), workers will still have to pay a small course fee, she said.
Courses may end before the economic situation improves, and along with them, the allowances paid to the jobless.
'While it is right that these unemployed Singaporeans must be upskilled wherever possible, full employment at the national level is unlikely.
'The Government will have to provide a policy response and safety net to these citizens in the medium to long term.'
To ensure that the scheme is a targeted one, she suggested a means test be implemented to weed out those who have high levels of savings and assets. And only those looking for a job will qualify.
Three People's Action Party MPs rose to challenge her on the suggestion, including labour chief Lim Swee Say.
Ms Ellen Lee (Sembawang GRC) wanted to know how this scheme would be funded and whether more funds would have to be drawn from the reserves.
Ms Lim said that assuming 100,000 people were helped at the cost of $500 a month over six months, this would amount to $300 million - less than one-tenth of the $4.5 billion Jobs Credit scheme.
'Some of that money (from Jobs Credit) is better used in this instance, to put it directly into the hands of people who need it most rather than to companies who may have no intention of retaining anyone.'
Mr Yeo Guat Kwang (Aljunied GRC) pointed out that the needy already had channels they could turn to for help, including jobs matching and financial assistance from government agencies.
But Ms Lim said the current amount of assistance varied greatly, whereas her scheme had clear guidelines on how much help can be given, depending on an applicant's last-drawn salary.
Mr Lim said he could not see a link between Ms Lim's scheme and how it could save jobs for Singaporeans.
He also rejected her claims that this scheme would be superior to Spur.
He said: 'Not only will they receive the $600 per month of training allowances, they will also have a new skill. But most importantly, we believe that many will be able to secure new jobs.'
Help for retrenched workers was also a call made by other MPs, including Madam Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC) and Dr Amy Khor (Hong Kah GRC).
Both wanted the Government to be more flexible towards retrenched workers who cannot make their HDB housing mortgage payments on time.
Madam Ho asked the Government to let them make just the interest payments on their loans.
- The Straits Times
'In this most trying of times, this will be an important relief to job seekers while they continue their job search,' said the Workers' Party chairman, mooting the idea of a 'Job Seekers' Allowance'.
Noting that the Government rolled out programmes that paid jobless older and low-skilled workers a small allowance while they retrain, she said there were still gaps in the system that a Job Seekers' Allowance would plug.
For instance, in the case of the government-sponsored training programme, called Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur), workers will still have to pay a small course fee, she said.
Courses may end before the economic situation improves, and along with them, the allowances paid to the jobless.
'While it is right that these unemployed Singaporeans must be upskilled wherever possible, full employment at the national level is unlikely.
'The Government will have to provide a policy response and safety net to these citizens in the medium to long term.'
To ensure that the scheme is a targeted one, she suggested a means test be implemented to weed out those who have high levels of savings and assets. And only those looking for a job will qualify.
Three People's Action Party MPs rose to challenge her on the suggestion, including labour chief Lim Swee Say.
Ms Ellen Lee (Sembawang GRC) wanted to know how this scheme would be funded and whether more funds would have to be drawn from the reserves.
Ms Lim said that assuming 100,000 people were helped at the cost of $500 a month over six months, this would amount to $300 million - less than one-tenth of the $4.5 billion Jobs Credit scheme.
'Some of that money (from Jobs Credit) is better used in this instance, to put it directly into the hands of people who need it most rather than to companies who may have no intention of retaining anyone.'
Mr Yeo Guat Kwang (Aljunied GRC) pointed out that the needy already had channels they could turn to for help, including jobs matching and financial assistance from government agencies.
But Ms Lim said the current amount of assistance varied greatly, whereas her scheme had clear guidelines on how much help can be given, depending on an applicant's last-drawn salary.
Mr Lim said he could not see a link between Ms Lim's scheme and how it could save jobs for Singaporeans.
He also rejected her claims that this scheme would be superior to Spur.
He said: 'Not only will they receive the $600 per month of training allowances, they will also have a new skill. But most importantly, we believe that many will be able to secure new jobs.'
Help for retrenched workers was also a call made by other MPs, including Madam Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC) and Dr Amy Khor (Hong Kah GRC).
Both wanted the Government to be more flexible towards retrenched workers who cannot make their HDB housing mortgage payments on time.
Madam Ho asked the Government to let them make just the interest payments on their loans.
- The Straits Times
Feb 4, 2009
NTUC chief says Jobs Credit scheme saves jobs and workers' CPF
Labour chief Lim Swee Say has defended the government's Jobs Credit scheme and emphasised that the scheme not only helps save jobs, but it also helps to save workers from having a cut in their Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings rate.
He added that Singapore's workers have three major concerns now. They are about keeping their jobs, ability to find another job after being retrenched and whether their CPF contributions would be affected.
He said: "Can we save all jobs? With Jobs Credit, can we hope to have zero retrenchment? If there is any announcement on retrenchment, does it mean that Jobs Credit scheme is a failure?
"Just like a CPF cut, Jobs Credit likewise is not a wonder drug. Jobs Credit is meant to save jobs, but Jobs Credit cannot aim to save all jobs.
"How far should we go to try to save jobs as we go through this downturn? The realistic side of me says 'let's go as far as we can' and that is the reason why the labour movement supports the decision by the government to draw on the past reserves.
"This is because it is important that the government sends a clear message that the government is putting in the best effort. And in response, the labour movement, the employers and workers must put in the best effort as well."
Several MPs who supported the Jobs Credit programme want the government to monitor its implementation closely.
Mayor, South-West CDC and MP for Hong Kah GRC, Dr Amy Khor, said: "Whilst the acting manpower minister has said that it would be left to companies to decide how to make use of the Jobs Credit scheme, a completely laissez faire approach in this case may appear quite unproductive to Singaporean workers concerned about their livelihood.
"Since it is a cash injection from government coffers, the government has the moral authority to compel recipients of the Jobs Credit to save jobs for Singaporeans as much as is reasonably possible."
MP for Jalan Besar GRC Denise Phua said: "There should be accountability on the part of recipients of our precious reserves. Is there a need to inflate the coffers of healthy enterprises who are not at risk of losing their employees?
"Would a broad-based blunt Job Credits scheme simply mean moving our precious reserves into the wrong pockets and creating windfalls of some at the expense of taxpayers and target recipients, especially those who are vulnerable such as the elderly, the disabled and the needy retrenched?"
However, the labour movement chief is not in favour of attaching strings to the Jobs Credit scheme.
Mr Lim continued: "If a company is not doing well, that it has to retrench workers, we deprive them of Jobs Credit, so aren't we pushing them further towards the downturn, thereby speeding up more retrenchments? So I don't understand the logic."
Another concern is that the scheme would be abused by employers.
Deputy Speaker and MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, Indranee Rajah, said: "Supposing I have two companies and one of the workers is paid S$4,000. Maybe if I split his job, then put him in one company and I pay him S$2,500 and I put him in another company and pay him S$1,500, then do I get two Jobs Credits?"
MP for Potong Pasir Chiam See Tong, who missed most of the Budget debate last year because of a stroke, gave a 15-minute speech in the House.
He called for greater transparency in the distribution process of the funds allocated in the Budget to those who are in dire need of help.
A key point which the MPs want to put across to Singaporeans in this Budget debate is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to battling this downturn, especially in the efforts to minimise retrenchments and cut costs for business.
Some 50 MPs shared their wide ranging views on the Budget in the last two days.
- Channel News Asia
He added that Singapore's workers have three major concerns now. They are about keeping their jobs, ability to find another job after being retrenched and whether their CPF contributions would be affected.
He said: "Can we save all jobs? With Jobs Credit, can we hope to have zero retrenchment? If there is any announcement on retrenchment, does it mean that Jobs Credit scheme is a failure?
"Just like a CPF cut, Jobs Credit likewise is not a wonder drug. Jobs Credit is meant to save jobs, but Jobs Credit cannot aim to save all jobs.
"How far should we go to try to save jobs as we go through this downturn? The realistic side of me says 'let's go as far as we can' and that is the reason why the labour movement supports the decision by the government to draw on the past reserves.
"This is because it is important that the government sends a clear message that the government is putting in the best effort. And in response, the labour movement, the employers and workers must put in the best effort as well."
Several MPs who supported the Jobs Credit programme want the government to monitor its implementation closely.
Mayor, South-West CDC and MP for Hong Kah GRC, Dr Amy Khor, said: "Whilst the acting manpower minister has said that it would be left to companies to decide how to make use of the Jobs Credit scheme, a completely laissez faire approach in this case may appear quite unproductive to Singaporean workers concerned about their livelihood.
"Since it is a cash injection from government coffers, the government has the moral authority to compel recipients of the Jobs Credit to save jobs for Singaporeans as much as is reasonably possible."
MP for Jalan Besar GRC Denise Phua said: "There should be accountability on the part of recipients of our precious reserves. Is there a need to inflate the coffers of healthy enterprises who are not at risk of losing their employees?
"Would a broad-based blunt Job Credits scheme simply mean moving our precious reserves into the wrong pockets and creating windfalls of some at the expense of taxpayers and target recipients, especially those who are vulnerable such as the elderly, the disabled and the needy retrenched?"
However, the labour movement chief is not in favour of attaching strings to the Jobs Credit scheme.
Mr Lim continued: "If a company is not doing well, that it has to retrench workers, we deprive them of Jobs Credit, so aren't we pushing them further towards the downturn, thereby speeding up more retrenchments? So I don't understand the logic."
Another concern is that the scheme would be abused by employers.
Deputy Speaker and MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, Indranee Rajah, said: "Supposing I have two companies and one of the workers is paid S$4,000. Maybe if I split his job, then put him in one company and I pay him S$2,500 and I put him in another company and pay him S$1,500, then do I get two Jobs Credits?"
MP for Potong Pasir Chiam See Tong, who missed most of the Budget debate last year because of a stroke, gave a 15-minute speech in the House.
He called for greater transparency in the distribution process of the funds allocated in the Budget to those who are in dire need of help.
A key point which the MPs want to put across to Singaporeans in this Budget debate is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to battling this downturn, especially in the efforts to minimise retrenchments and cut costs for business.
Some 50 MPs shared their wide ranging views on the Budget in the last two days.
- Channel News Asia
Feb 3, 2009
Jobless and glum? Talk to us
TWO friends who know first-hand what it's like to be unemployed, now want to help others in the same boat.
Mr Terence Tay, in his late 40s, has not held a full-time job since 2002. And certified counsellor Gilbert Goh, 47, was previously unemployed for about 20 months between 2003 and 2005.
The two men have recently started a website - www.transitioning.org - to help the unemployed network, find emotional support and get work.
Said Mr Goh, now a teacher at a private school: 'The unemployment situation seems set to get worse, and there will be many people who will be hit with morale and psychological problems, on top of financial woes.
'We hope to form a support group through the site, offer online counselling to those going through difficult times, and eventually get employers to publicise job openings online.'
The site, which was started only last week, will be officially launched in late February, said Mr Goh. It cost the two friends a few hundred dollars each to set up.
For both men, surviving unemployment had not been easy. Mr Tay quit his job as a bank officer in 2002 because he was then facing 'personal family problems'. He was then taking home more than $100,000 a year.
For the next five years, he survived by trading in the stock market and other investments, but his ventures eventually failed when the market crashed.
Mr Tay, who is an engineer by training, has been spending the past six months looking for full-time jobs in engineering and banking.
Said Mr Tay, who has three children below 15: 'I'm willing to settle for less than half of what I was earning in the finance sector previously, but it's still difficult and demoralising.
'Employers in engineering say I don't have sufficient experience in the field, while those in banking say I've been unemployed for too long.'
Mr Tay said he has been surviving on his savings. His wife has also been working part-time as an administrative officer.
He got to know Mr Goh through an online forum when he was looking for a job in December last year.
Said Mr Goh: 'We started chatting online and realised we had similar experiences. That was when the idea for the website started.'
Mr Goh was previously an insurance agent, earning up to $6,000 a month. He left his job for further studies, and returned in 2003, but could not find a job for almost two years.
He recalled: 'Back then, my expectations were too high. I was looking for work that would pay me the same as what I was previously earning. That's why it was tough.'
For six months, Mr Goh, who is married with a 15-year-old daughter, was depressed and refused to leave his home. He was irritable and often argued with his family members.
It was through the support of friends and family that he eventually snapped out of his depression.
He decided to make a career switch. He got a diploma in psychology at a private school, and became a certified counsellor. He settled for about half of his last-drawn salary, and joined a voluntary welfare organisation here in 2005.
He left the social service sector in 2007 for a teaching position in China.
He returned to Singapore last year for a teaching position at a private school. He now earns about $4,000 a month.
Said Mr Goh: 'People who are unemployed for long periods will face morale and esteem problems.
'And in these hard times, there will be an increasing number of white collar workers who will be hit.'
The website currently offers the latest economic news, tips on how to manage finances and interview skills, and a forum to network.
Those facing emotional problems can also e-mail a volunteer counsellor for advice. The site's founders hope to eventually get employers onboard to publicise job openings.
Said Mr Goh: 'We want people who lose their jobs to know that they are not alone. There are people out there who can help them, and get them back on their feet.'
- The New Paper
Feb 2, 2009
Jobs top the agenda for MPs
THE job-saving measures spelt out in the Budget will draw the most attention today as the debate on the Statement begins in Parliament.
Around 50 MPs are expected to speak during the debate, with most taking their cue from the Statement delivered just over a week ago.
On Jan 22, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam had unveiled a Budget that was dominated by moves designed to save jobs by helping companies cut costs.
Mr Inderjit Singh (Ang Mo Kio GRC), chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Finance and Trade and Industry, will likely kick off the debate.
He told The Straits Times he will focus on jobs and call for even more to be done to cut costs. 'Generally, I will come up with some suggestions of things we can do in the shorter term.'
These will include steps to enhance the lending scheme under the Special Risk-sharing Initiative to help firms get access to financing, and to make sure property tax rebates are channelled to tenants. He will also speak about the unprecedented move to dip into the reserves, but only when the Committee of Supply session begins.
The first two days of the Parliamentary sitting will focus on the Budget Statement. On Thursday, Parliament evolves into what is called a Committee of Supply to scrutinise each ministry's budget and policies. The debate is scheduled to end on Feb 13.
To get to speak on a ministry's plans, an MP tables a token cut to the Ministry's budget, which he withdraws after the minister responds to his queries. The number of cuts filed - which gives an indication of how intense the debate will be - will be made known by Wednesday.
Other MPs said they would also be raising points related to the job measures. Ms Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC) will be asking for some ways to measure the effectiveness of the schemes unveiled. While pointing out that general feedback has been positive, she said she wanted to 'sharpen some of the bluntness' of the Budget.
'How do we ensure that effects of the various initiatives cascade down to the workers? There needs to be some assessment down the line. How do we ensure the Jobs Credit scheme will save jobs?'
Madam Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC) said she would raise points on how the Government could introduce schemes that impact workers more directly: for example, a temporary subsidy to help those who have lost their jobs but are saddled with medical bills.
- The Straits Times
Around 50 MPs are expected to speak during the debate, with most taking their cue from the Statement delivered just over a week ago.
On Jan 22, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam had unveiled a Budget that was dominated by moves designed to save jobs by helping companies cut costs.
Mr Inderjit Singh (Ang Mo Kio GRC), chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Finance and Trade and Industry, will likely kick off the debate.
He told The Straits Times he will focus on jobs and call for even more to be done to cut costs. 'Generally, I will come up with some suggestions of things we can do in the shorter term.'
These will include steps to enhance the lending scheme under the Special Risk-sharing Initiative to help firms get access to financing, and to make sure property tax rebates are channelled to tenants. He will also speak about the unprecedented move to dip into the reserves, but only when the Committee of Supply session begins.
The first two days of the Parliamentary sitting will focus on the Budget Statement. On Thursday, Parliament evolves into what is called a Committee of Supply to scrutinise each ministry's budget and policies. The debate is scheduled to end on Feb 13.
To get to speak on a ministry's plans, an MP tables a token cut to the Ministry's budget, which he withdraws after the minister responds to his queries. The number of cuts filed - which gives an indication of how intense the debate will be - will be made known by Wednesday.
Other MPs said they would also be raising points related to the job measures. Ms Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC) will be asking for some ways to measure the effectiveness of the schemes unveiled. While pointing out that general feedback has been positive, she said she wanted to 'sharpen some of the bluntness' of the Budget.
'How do we ensure that effects of the various initiatives cascade down to the workers? There needs to be some assessment down the line. How do we ensure the Jobs Credit scheme will save jobs?'
Madam Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC) said she would raise points on how the Government could introduce schemes that impact workers more directly: for example, a temporary subsidy to help those who have lost their jobs but are saddled with medical bills.
- The Straits Times
Use government aid to save jobs
GARMENT manufacturers in Singapore have laid off about 700 workers in the past two months, as orders from the United States and Europe slow to a trickle.
With more government help on the way for businesses, officials of the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees' Union (Siseu) have approached and urged several of them to make use of this assistance and put off shedding more workers.
Two other sectors - aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul, as well as printing and publishing - are also on their radar screen.
These sectors are seeing a drop in business too, but employers are keen on investing in training or finding other ways to keep their staff, said labour MP Josephine Teo, an adviser to Siseu. She was speaking to reporters yesterday after meeting a group of workers retrenched by Chin Heng Garments Factory in Kallang Bahru.
They were attending a workshop at the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) in Bukit Merah, to prepare them mentally for training and finding a new job. The 45 workers were among about 600 employees laid off by the factory on Jan 22.
Mrs Teo said that until this downturn, garment factories had thrived on orders for small batches of clothing that clients needed to have made quickly. Many companies have also, since the 1990s, moved production to countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia where labour is cheaper, but kept an office here to handle buyers from the United States and Europe.
In this downturn, garment factories with production lines here are being forced to reassess their viability, said Mrs Teo. Four garment-makers have shed workers so far. The bulk came from Chin Heng, which shut its production line.
Commenting on ongoing discussions with one company, whose name she declined to disclose, Mrs Teo said: 'Perhaps the Jobs Credit Scheme might cause them to redo their numbers.'
She was referring to the $4.5 billion scheme that gives bosses 12 per cent on the first $2,500 of each month's wages for every resident worker on their Central Provident Fund (CPF) payroll.
The union has also been in talks with aircraft maintenance companies since the third quarter of last year, Mrs Teo said.
'They have reassured us they intend to use this period to invest in training. When they heard of Spur funding, they were very happy,' she said, referring to a government-sponsored scheme that pays part of workers' wages while they are on training as well as subsidises their training fees. It was launched last December.
One company, Turbine Overhaul Services, is sending all its workers for training. Another is looking at equipping its technicians with skills to service more types of aircraft.
Some employers in printing and publishing are thinking along the same lines, said Mrs Teo, citing a printing company that invested in machinery with many features that have not been fully exploited. It intends to train its workers to use these features to produce work of better quality than its competitors, she added.
For those who are retrenched, e2i has more than 6,000 immediate vacancies, Mrs Teo noted. But workers may lack the requisite skills for these jobs, or they may reject these jobs for not paying enough.
The recent move to top up the incomes of low-wage workers with a special Workfare payout will make such jobs more attractive, she said.
She noted that the jobs may also be contract jobs for which bosses may not pay their CPF contribution: 'Through the Jobs Credit scheme, we hope to encourage employers to view these jobs in a different light, pay CPF so that they can gain the cash grant provided by the Government.'
Ms Lee Sow Leng, a former seamstress at Chin Heng, said she would be glad to land a job that pays about $1,000.
Said Ms Lee, 53, in Mandarin: 'I've been tailoring clothes for 23 years and haven't done much else. I hope to learn some English and work as a cashier.'
- The Straits Times
With more government help on the way for businesses, officials of the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees' Union (Siseu) have approached and urged several of them to make use of this assistance and put off shedding more workers.
Two other sectors - aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul, as well as printing and publishing - are also on their radar screen.
These sectors are seeing a drop in business too, but employers are keen on investing in training or finding other ways to keep their staff, said labour MP Josephine Teo, an adviser to Siseu. She was speaking to reporters yesterday after meeting a group of workers retrenched by Chin Heng Garments Factory in Kallang Bahru.
They were attending a workshop at the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) in Bukit Merah, to prepare them mentally for training and finding a new job. The 45 workers were among about 600 employees laid off by the factory on Jan 22.
Mrs Teo said that until this downturn, garment factories had thrived on orders for small batches of clothing that clients needed to have made quickly. Many companies have also, since the 1990s, moved production to countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia where labour is cheaper, but kept an office here to handle buyers from the United States and Europe.
In this downturn, garment factories with production lines here are being forced to reassess their viability, said Mrs Teo. Four garment-makers have shed workers so far. The bulk came from Chin Heng, which shut its production line.
Commenting on ongoing discussions with one company, whose name she declined to disclose, Mrs Teo said: 'Perhaps the Jobs Credit Scheme might cause them to redo their numbers.'
She was referring to the $4.5 billion scheme that gives bosses 12 per cent on the first $2,500 of each month's wages for every resident worker on their Central Provident Fund (CPF) payroll.
The union has also been in talks with aircraft maintenance companies since the third quarter of last year, Mrs Teo said.
'They have reassured us they intend to use this period to invest in training. When they heard of Spur funding, they were very happy,' she said, referring to a government-sponsored scheme that pays part of workers' wages while they are on training as well as subsidises their training fees. It was launched last December.
One company, Turbine Overhaul Services, is sending all its workers for training. Another is looking at equipping its technicians with skills to service more types of aircraft.
Some employers in printing and publishing are thinking along the same lines, said Mrs Teo, citing a printing company that invested in machinery with many features that have not been fully exploited. It intends to train its workers to use these features to produce work of better quality than its competitors, she added.
For those who are retrenched, e2i has more than 6,000 immediate vacancies, Mrs Teo noted. But workers may lack the requisite skills for these jobs, or they may reject these jobs for not paying enough.
The recent move to top up the incomes of low-wage workers with a special Workfare payout will make such jobs more attractive, she said.
She noted that the jobs may also be contract jobs for which bosses may not pay their CPF contribution: 'Through the Jobs Credit scheme, we hope to encourage employers to view these jobs in a different light, pay CPF so that they can gain the cash grant provided by the Government.'
Ms Lee Sow Leng, a former seamstress at Chin Heng, said she would be glad to land a job that pays about $1,000.
Said Ms Lee, 53, in Mandarin: 'I've been tailoring clothes for 23 years and haven't done much else. I hope to learn some English and work as a cashier.'
- The Straits Times
Union leaders say retrenched workers need to manage job expectations
With more retrenchments expected after the post-festive period, union leaders said they will do their best to help those affected. But they stressed that workers need to approach the job market with an open mind to increase their chances of getting hired.
Some workers who lost their jobs last month attended their first day of a week-long retraining course, from February 2 to 9, which will prepare them for jobs in other industries.
The customised course is fully subsidised by the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and will provide these workers with career advice as well.
However, unionists said that workers must also learn to manage their expectations in the new job.
Josephine Teo, executive secretary, SISEU, said: "There is the expectations gap, which means that the workers can do the job but they find that the terms and conditions of those jobs may not be acceptable to them.
"For example, the pay could be too low and after deducting their expenses, they may find that it's not possible for them to take those jobs."
Although unionists are expecting a slump in the number of manufacturing jobs available, they are predicting an increase in job opportunities in the service sector.
The e2i currently has more than 6,000 immediate vacancies available in their jobs database.
Despite more retrenchments expected after the Lunar New Year, workers can look forward to more help. The Workforce Development Agency (WDA) will be doubling the number of training places from 110,000 to 220,000 under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) to retrain workers.
- Channel News Asia
Some workers who lost their jobs last month attended their first day of a week-long retraining course, from February 2 to 9, which will prepare them for jobs in other industries.
The customised course is fully subsidised by the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and will provide these workers with career advice as well.
However, unionists said that workers must also learn to manage their expectations in the new job.
Josephine Teo, executive secretary, SISEU, said: "There is the expectations gap, which means that the workers can do the job but they find that the terms and conditions of those jobs may not be acceptable to them.
"For example, the pay could be too low and after deducting their expenses, they may find that it's not possible for them to take those jobs."
Although unionists are expecting a slump in the number of manufacturing jobs available, they are predicting an increase in job opportunities in the service sector.
The e2i currently has more than 6,000 immediate vacancies available in their jobs database.
Despite more retrenchments expected after the Lunar New Year, workers can look forward to more help. The Workforce Development Agency (WDA) will be doubling the number of training places from 110,000 to 220,000 under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) to retrain workers.
- Channel News Asia
Paper qualifications may not be all to landing a job
SHE turned up for a job interview with a GI Jane haircut. Others wore tops with plunging necklines or mini-skirts. Worse, some have overslept and shown up late for an interview.
Given the current volatile job market, possessing the right paper qualifications may not be enough to get that job.
Human resource consulting firms told The New Paper on Sunday that while many young Singaporeans possess some of the best qualifications, some are clueless about basic etiquette during interviews.
Indeed, as many as eight out of 10 commit some form of gaffe during their interviews, said job consultants.
Ms Agnes Koh, 38, an etiquette and image consultant, said she has had clients with first class honours who have no idea on how to present themselves at interviews.
One woman with a degree in business marketing showed up with a crew cut.
Not suitable
Said Ms Koh: 'I told her the GI Jane hairstyle was not suitable at job interviews.
'She wasn't upset, but said it was her personal style. However, she agreed to grow her hair a bit longer and project a more feminine appearance.'
Added Ms Koh: 'Some of them are academically inclined and studious to the point that they overlook aspects of their dressing and lack social skills.'
Miss Claris Liew, a personnel consultant in her 20s, recalled one candidate who showed up for an interview in 2007 with his eyes red and bleary.
'I asked him a question and to my surprise, he had fallen asleep right in front of me,' she said.
'I called him a few of times but he did not wake up until I raised my voice.'
He apologised and explained that he was moving house and it went on late into the night.
An area manager in a recruitment firm, Miss Joyce Lim, also in her 20s, remembered one woman with an 'out of this world and truly unforgettable' dress sense.
Miss Lim recalled: 'Her blouse had all sorts of buttons and safety pins, each in a different design. Worse, her skirt was torn. It was a very weird and mismatched interview outfit.'
Miss Yue Yin Mun, 42, a strategic accounts director with Adecco Personnel Pte Ltd, said that she has seen all sorts of job seekers in her 19 years in the recruitment industry.
Said Miss Lim: 'Some show up for their screening interview at our company dressed in denim mini-shorts and tank-tops. Others turn up with big shopping bags.'
She revealed that often the assessment of the candidate may not begin in the interview room, but from the moment he or she steps into the office.
'We do check with our receptionist on the behaviour of the job candidate. Some are rude to the receptionist, but treat the interviewer differently,' she said.
'But in hiring personnel, especially in the service industry, we are looking for candidates who treat everyone with equal respect.'
Going overboard
Miss Lim noted that while more candidates these days do prepare for their interviews, some go overboard by using 'model answers'.
She said: 'I have come across candidates who often describe themselves as 'friendly', 'enthusiastic' and 'lively'. These are common answers to questions on their personality.
'But when you see them in person, their personalities do not reflect these qualities.
'While it is important to be yourself, you should not appear too relaxed.'
She also recalled how a candidate kept swinging in a swivel chair throughout the interview.
'When my colleague asked her if she was nervous, she replied 'No, the chair is very nice', and continued to swing from side to side,' said Miss Yin.
Cover letters and resumes also matter in making an impression.
Said Mr Josh Tan, a senior manager with recruitment firm The GMP Group: 'The most common mistake by most job seekers is sending the same resume to all employers regardless of the job positions.'
Not tailoring resumes to the requirements of the advertised job shows that the candidate either has a lack of understanding of what is required for the job or could not be bothered to put in the extra effort, he said.
Tips for Job Seekers
1. Dress appropriately. Wear dark or neutral colours. For women, do wear light neutral makeup and dress in office attire with knee-length skirts. For men, invest in a good white shirt and dark-coloured tie. Do not wear white socks.
2. Do read up about the company and position you are applying for.
3. Do give a firm handshake, and do not slouch in the chair.
4. Be at least 15 minutes early for the job interview. This will give you time to fill in any forms and familiarise yourself with the surroundings.
5. Do make copies of your relevant certificates and documents to hand to the interviewer.
- The New Paper
Given the current volatile job market, possessing the right paper qualifications may not be enough to get that job.
Human resource consulting firms told The New Paper on Sunday that while many young Singaporeans possess some of the best qualifications, some are clueless about basic etiquette during interviews.
Indeed, as many as eight out of 10 commit some form of gaffe during their interviews, said job consultants.
Ms Agnes Koh, 38, an etiquette and image consultant, said she has had clients with first class honours who have no idea on how to present themselves at interviews.
One woman with a degree in business marketing showed up with a crew cut.
Not suitable
Said Ms Koh: 'I told her the GI Jane hairstyle was not suitable at job interviews.
'She wasn't upset, but said it was her personal style. However, she agreed to grow her hair a bit longer and project a more feminine appearance.'
Added Ms Koh: 'Some of them are academically inclined and studious to the point that they overlook aspects of their dressing and lack social skills.'
Miss Claris Liew, a personnel consultant in her 20s, recalled one candidate who showed up for an interview in 2007 with his eyes red and bleary.
'I asked him a question and to my surprise, he had fallen asleep right in front of me,' she said.
'I called him a few of times but he did not wake up until I raised my voice.'
He apologised and explained that he was moving house and it went on late into the night.
An area manager in a recruitment firm, Miss Joyce Lim, also in her 20s, remembered one woman with an 'out of this world and truly unforgettable' dress sense.
Miss Lim recalled: 'Her blouse had all sorts of buttons and safety pins, each in a different design. Worse, her skirt was torn. It was a very weird and mismatched interview outfit.'
Miss Yue Yin Mun, 42, a strategic accounts director with Adecco Personnel Pte Ltd, said that she has seen all sorts of job seekers in her 19 years in the recruitment industry.
Said Miss Lim: 'Some show up for their screening interview at our company dressed in denim mini-shorts and tank-tops. Others turn up with big shopping bags.'
She revealed that often the assessment of the candidate may not begin in the interview room, but from the moment he or she steps into the office.
'We do check with our receptionist on the behaviour of the job candidate. Some are rude to the receptionist, but treat the interviewer differently,' she said.
'But in hiring personnel, especially in the service industry, we are looking for candidates who treat everyone with equal respect.'
Going overboard
Miss Lim noted that while more candidates these days do prepare for their interviews, some go overboard by using 'model answers'.
She said: 'I have come across candidates who often describe themselves as 'friendly', 'enthusiastic' and 'lively'. These are common answers to questions on their personality.
'But when you see them in person, their personalities do not reflect these qualities.
'While it is important to be yourself, you should not appear too relaxed.'
She also recalled how a candidate kept swinging in a swivel chair throughout the interview.
'When my colleague asked her if she was nervous, she replied 'No, the chair is very nice', and continued to swing from side to side,' said Miss Yin.
Cover letters and resumes also matter in making an impression.
Said Mr Josh Tan, a senior manager with recruitment firm The GMP Group: 'The most common mistake by most job seekers is sending the same resume to all employers regardless of the job positions.'
Not tailoring resumes to the requirements of the advertised job shows that the candidate either has a lack of understanding of what is required for the job or could not be bothered to put in the extra effort, he said.
Tips for Job Seekers
1. Dress appropriately. Wear dark or neutral colours. For women, do wear light neutral makeup and dress in office attire with knee-length skirts. For men, invest in a good white shirt and dark-coloured tie. Do not wear white socks.
2. Do read up about the company and position you are applying for.
3. Do give a firm handshake, and do not slouch in the chair.
4. Be at least 15 minutes early for the job interview. This will give you time to fill in any forms and familiarise yourself with the surroundings.
5. Do make copies of your relevant certificates and documents to hand to the interviewer.
- The New Paper
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