Creating better jobs and sustaining broad-based real wage increases for all workers - this will be the mission of the labour movement from now until 2015.
The labour movement's masterplan, LM 2015, was unveiled on Tuesday at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) National Delegates Conference.
In his report, NTUC secretary-general Lim Swee Say noted how Singapore's unemployment rates came down last year, even though the rates "stayed high" in the United States, the European Union and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
There has also been improvement in the real wage of workers here in the past decade, although the increase was not as high as in the '90s, he added.
Said Mr Lim, who is also a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office: "To have broad-based real wage increase, we need to have broad-based growth. I agree that we should never go for growth at all costs but we should also never forget the high costs of slow or no growth.
"We can never assume that we will always have enough jobs and real wage increase, as many Americans have found out the hard way and are still suffering from it."
Mr Lim noted that, at a time when unionisation is seen as a "sunset movement in many countries", union membership here has gone up by more than 30 per cent between 2007 and this year.
The labour movement currently has about 670,000 members. The target, Mr Lim said, is to reach one million members by 2015.
Mr Lim said: "Union leaders elsewhere often feel helpless when their workers are trapped in a hopeless situation. Not us here in Singapore. In good times or bad, we are always able to be helpful to our workers and our workers hopeful for a better future."
- TODAY newspaper
Dec 7, 2011
Skills upgrading programme for workers in water industry
To develop the capabilities of the water industry workforce, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), national water agency PUB, and the Singapore Water Association (SWA) have collaborated on a new training programme - the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Used Water Treatment Technician Programme - for the water industry.
This collaboration is part of efforts to align PUB's Water Management Certification Programme to the WSQ training system.
This is aimed at raising the water industry's competency standards whilst benchmarking it against international best practices.
The Water Management Certification Programme comprises a series of training programmes that focus on technical skills and capabilities to manage the various aspects of the water cycle.
Up to 200 operator and technical-level workers in the water industry are set to benefit from WSQ training for the water industry over the next two years.
To date, close to S$1 million has been set aside to enhance the manpower capabilities of the water industry.
- Channel News Asia
This collaboration is part of efforts to align PUB's Water Management Certification Programme to the WSQ training system.
This is aimed at raising the water industry's competency standards whilst benchmarking it against international best practices.
The Water Management Certification Programme comprises a series of training programmes that focus on technical skills and capabilities to manage the various aspects of the water cycle.
Up to 200 operator and technical-level workers in the water industry are set to benefit from WSQ training for the water industry over the next two years.
To date, close to S$1 million has been set aside to enhance the manpower capabilities of the water industry.
- Channel News Asia
Citigroup Singapore laid off about 40 staff recently
Citigroup Singapore has laid off about 40 employees in recent weeks, The Straits Times has learnt.
The job cuts, which included senior positions, have come as the American bank on Wednesday announced it would axe 4,500 jobs globally and set aside US$400 million (S$515 million) for severance and other related costs.
The cuts here are believed to have come selectively across its investment bank, markets team and private bank.
A Citi spokesman in Singapore confirmed on Wednesday that there have been layoffs.
- The Straits Times
The job cuts, which included senior positions, have come as the American bank on Wednesday announced it would axe 4,500 jobs globally and set aside US$400 million (S$515 million) for severance and other related costs.
The cuts here are believed to have come selectively across its investment bank, markets team and private bank.
A Citi spokesman in Singapore confirmed on Wednesday that there have been layoffs.
- The Straits Times
Nov 30, 2011
Job rate hits new high
Singapore's job market appeared rosy in 2011, with the employment rate hitting a new high of 78 per cent for the resident population aged 25 to 64.
This surpassed the previous high of 77.1 per cent in 2010.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said this reflected both the stable high in labour force participation rate and a lower unemployment rate.
The resident unemployment rate fell to a non-seasonally adjusted 3.9 per cent in June 2011, from 4.1 per cent in June 2010 and 5.9 per cent in June 2009.
The pool of economically-active residents increased over the year by 1.6 per cent in June 2011.
It is lower than the growth of 3.1 per cent in 2010 and the average of 2.6 per cent per annum from 2001 to 2011.
Another noteworthy trend is the "good progress" in the job rate for women and older residents.
For older residents, a record 61.2 per cent of residents aged 55 to 64 were working in 2011, up from 59 per cent a year ago.
The employment rate for males in this age group climbed from 75 per cent to 76.4 per cent while the rate for females rose from 43.4 per cent to 46.3 per cent.
The employment rate for women in the prime-working ages of 25 to 54 also rose to another high -- from 71.7 per cent in 2010 to 73 per cent in 2011.
Amid the tightened immigration framework, the number of permanent residents in the population fell by 1.7 per cent over the year in June 2011, after growing 1.5 per cent in 2010 and 11.5 per cent in 2009.
The resident labour force participation rate stabilised in 2011, after trending upwards gradually over time.
Growth in the resident labour force moderated in 2011, reflecting the absolute decline in number of permanent residents in the population.
There were 2.08 million residents in the labour force as at June 2011.
MOM said 66.1 per cent of the resident population aged 15 and over were either working or actively seeking work in 2011, similar to the record 66.2 per cent in 2010 and higher than 64.4 per cent in 2001.
Meanwhile, nominal incomes rose strongly in 2011, amid a tighter labour market.
The median monthly income from work (including employer CPF contributions) of full-time employed residents rose by 8.3 per cent over the year to S$3,249 in 2011.
It is higher than the growth of 2.5 per cent in 2010.
Taking headline inflation into account, the median income rose in real terms by 3.1 per cent in 2011, after a slight dip of 0.3 per cent in 2010.
- Channel News Asia
This surpassed the previous high of 77.1 per cent in 2010.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said this reflected both the stable high in labour force participation rate and a lower unemployment rate.
The resident unemployment rate fell to a non-seasonally adjusted 3.9 per cent in June 2011, from 4.1 per cent in June 2010 and 5.9 per cent in June 2009.
The pool of economically-active residents increased over the year by 1.6 per cent in June 2011.
It is lower than the growth of 3.1 per cent in 2010 and the average of 2.6 per cent per annum from 2001 to 2011.
Another noteworthy trend is the "good progress" in the job rate for women and older residents.
For older residents, a record 61.2 per cent of residents aged 55 to 64 were working in 2011, up from 59 per cent a year ago.
The employment rate for males in this age group climbed from 75 per cent to 76.4 per cent while the rate for females rose from 43.4 per cent to 46.3 per cent.
The employment rate for women in the prime-working ages of 25 to 54 also rose to another high -- from 71.7 per cent in 2010 to 73 per cent in 2011.
Amid the tightened immigration framework, the number of permanent residents in the population fell by 1.7 per cent over the year in June 2011, after growing 1.5 per cent in 2010 and 11.5 per cent in 2009.
The resident labour force participation rate stabilised in 2011, after trending upwards gradually over time.
Growth in the resident labour force moderated in 2011, reflecting the absolute decline in number of permanent residents in the population.
There were 2.08 million residents in the labour force as at June 2011.
MOM said 66.1 per cent of the resident population aged 15 and over were either working or actively seeking work in 2011, similar to the record 66.2 per cent in 2010 and higher than 64.4 per cent in 2001.
Meanwhile, nominal incomes rose strongly in 2011, amid a tighter labour market.
The median monthly income from work (including employer CPF contributions) of full-time employed residents rose by 8.3 per cent over the year to S$3,249 in 2011.
It is higher than the growth of 2.5 per cent in 2010.
Taking headline inflation into account, the median income rose in real terms by 3.1 per cent in 2011, after a slight dip of 0.3 per cent in 2010.
- Channel News Asia
Jul 29, 2011
Unemployment up to 2.1% in second quarter
SINGAPORE'S unemployment crept up to 2.1 per cent in the second quarter of this year, from a three-year low of 1.9 per cent in the previous quarter.
The Manpower Ministry, in releasing preliminary estimates, said the rise came as a result of slower job creation.
The 22,800 jobs created between April and June represented a 19 per cent fall from the previous quarter and is a second consecutive quarter-on-quarter decline in employment growth.
The services sector alone accounted for the drop, with new jobs in that sector falling from 26,500 to 18,800. Job creation picked up speed in the other two sectors - manufacturing and construction.
The Ministry estimates that 81,300 Singapore residents were unemployed as of June this year, up from 54,300 in March.
The figure reflects "the increase in job seekers as tertiary graduates entered the labour market and students sought employment during the mid-year school vacation", it said.
- The Straits Times
The Manpower Ministry, in releasing preliminary estimates, said the rise came as a result of slower job creation.
The 22,800 jobs created between April and June represented a 19 per cent fall from the previous quarter and is a second consecutive quarter-on-quarter decline in employment growth.
The services sector alone accounted for the drop, with new jobs in that sector falling from 26,500 to 18,800. Job creation picked up speed in the other two sectors - manufacturing and construction.
The Ministry estimates that 81,300 Singapore residents were unemployed as of June this year, up from 54,300 in March.
The figure reflects "the increase in job seekers as tertiary graduates entered the labour market and students sought employment during the mid-year school vacation", it said.
- The Straits Times
Jun 27, 2011
Job seekers need to keep realistic salary expectations
Recruitment firm Hays said candidates need realistic salary expectations or risk pricing themselves out of the jobs market.
That is because employers are being more cautiously optimistic and will not pay over market-rate salaries to potential candidates, regardless of their specialised skills.
General Manager of Hays in Singapore, Chris Mead, said employers will continue to invest heavily in talent as companies in Asia embark on a new leg of expansion in emerging markets.
At the same time, they are unwilling to consider candidates that they feel are pushing a salary agenda.
He said it is important for candidates to keep their salary expectations in line with the market as employers will only increase rates so far.
Mr Mead said the outlook in Singapore is positive for candidates who want career opportunities within global, progressive organisations - provided they remain realistic in terms of compensation and benefits.
However, there is one area that is bucking the trend.
Candidates who are are looking for specific jobs and in skill short areas can more or less choose their salary and package.
This includes those with digital or e-commerce marketing and brand management expertise.
Another example is the accountancy & finance sector, where employers view candidates as crucial hires with high-level exposure.
Employers are therefore willing to pay competitive salaries in most cases, although the rare skills these roles demand can often make the recruiting timetable longer.
Overall, Mr Mead advised candidates to be open to new opportunities and review their options in the market.
- Channel New Asia
That is because employers are being more cautiously optimistic and will not pay over market-rate salaries to potential candidates, regardless of their specialised skills.
General Manager of Hays in Singapore, Chris Mead, said employers will continue to invest heavily in talent as companies in Asia embark on a new leg of expansion in emerging markets.
At the same time, they are unwilling to consider candidates that they feel are pushing a salary agenda.
He said it is important for candidates to keep their salary expectations in line with the market as employers will only increase rates so far.
Mr Mead said the outlook in Singapore is positive for candidates who want career opportunities within global, progressive organisations - provided they remain realistic in terms of compensation and benefits.
However, there is one area that is bucking the trend.
Candidates who are are looking for specific jobs and in skill short areas can more or less choose their salary and package.
This includes those with digital or e-commerce marketing and brand management expertise.
Another example is the accountancy & finance sector, where employers view candidates as crucial hires with high-level exposure.
Employers are therefore willing to pay competitive salaries in most cases, although the rare skills these roles demand can often make the recruiting timetable longer.
Overall, Mr Mead advised candidates to be open to new opportunities and review their options in the market.
- Channel New Asia
Jun 24, 2011
10,000 to get skills upgrading by WDA
Some 10,000 port industry employees will stand to benefit from training and skills upgrading under the first Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) collaboration among industry players.
This was made possible by an agreement signed on Friday by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), PSA Corporation and Jurong Port.
The WDA said the framework will provide nationally-recognised and structured training and certification for port employees.
It will start with mobile equipment operators and lashing specialists whose job includes securing containers on vessels using lashing equipment.
Previously, industry employees took stand-alone courses accredited by parties such as the Ministry of Manpower and Institute of Technical Education.
Wong Hong Kuan, the Chief Executive of WDA said: "If they upgrade themselves and take on greater job responsibilities as their skill sets allow them to, and with the WSQ Framework, they can look at much better pay prospects and growth prospects as well."
The WDA said the industry has good job prospects and expects to create another 5,000 jobs in the next three years.
The agency has already committed some S$8 million to train about 10,000 workers over the next three years.
Labour chief Lim Swee Say commented:"Education background is just the starting point in our lives but it should not be the factor to determine our ending point in our lives.
Because along the way, we'll pick up new skills, new competencies, and develop a new attitude. So the WSQ system is skill-based, competency based."
- Channel News Asia
This was made possible by an agreement signed on Friday by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), PSA Corporation and Jurong Port.
The WDA said the framework will provide nationally-recognised and structured training and certification for port employees.
It will start with mobile equipment operators and lashing specialists whose job includes securing containers on vessels using lashing equipment.
Previously, industry employees took stand-alone courses accredited by parties such as the Ministry of Manpower and Institute of Technical Education.
Wong Hong Kuan, the Chief Executive of WDA said: "If they upgrade themselves and take on greater job responsibilities as their skill sets allow them to, and with the WSQ Framework, they can look at much better pay prospects and growth prospects as well."
The WDA said the industry has good job prospects and expects to create another 5,000 jobs in the next three years.
The agency has already committed some S$8 million to train about 10,000 workers over the next three years.
Labour chief Lim Swee Say commented:"Education background is just the starting point in our lives but it should not be the factor to determine our ending point in our lives.
Because along the way, we'll pick up new skills, new competencies, and develop a new attitude. So the WSQ system is skill-based, competency based."
- Channel News Asia
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