Labour chief Lim Swee Say has said that any additional intake of foreign manpower should not dilute Singapore’s efforts in productivity improvement.
He was speaking at a conference of employers and trade union leaders organised by the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) on Wednesday.
The conference discussed the recent news that Singapore would likely need some 100,000 foreign workers to meet the demands of various industries.
Mr Lim urged employers not to have pre—conceived ideas that unionists are against foreign workers.
He said: "The labour movement adopts a fairly pragmatic approach. If the growth opportunities are there and there is a shortage of workers, then obviously the foreign workers do come in as additional source of manpower.... (They) served as a buffer during the downturn in 2009."
Mr Lim went on to say: "What we are concerned about is that this additional intake of foreign manpower should not dilute our efforts in productivity improvement.
"If we keep taking in foreign manpower, which are unskilled and low—wage and bring them in big numbers, if we end up discouraging enterprises from upgrading their workforce, I think that would be not welcomed by the labour movement.
"What we would like to see is this movement towards higher productivity should apply both to the local and foreign workforce.
"Yes, we want the local workers to become better skilled, more productive. At the same time we must place the same expectation and demand on the foreign workers as well.
"So, as we take in foreign workers, let’s bring in those who are more employable, more trainable.
"Together these foreign and local workers can go through the process of productivity improvement.....so that over the next 10 years we can achieve our target of 2—3 percent growth."
Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, who was also at the conference, said: "Exactly how many (foreign workers) will come will depend on the growth of the second half. At the same time it is important for companies to think about how we can do things in a different way so that we can rely on fewer manpower to achieve the same output.
"We hope companies will take this in their stride and see how we can introduce productivity measures so that we can reduce our dependence on low skilled manpower so that we can produce the same or more with fewer resources needed.
"As the economy picks up, companies focus on fulfilling orders immediately. While there is flexibility in the labour market to allow you to do so, at the same time let’s not lose sight of the long term strategic move of raising productivity. Only then can we sustain wage improvements."
— Channel News Asia
Showing posts with label foreign workers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foreign workers. Show all posts
Jul 29, 2010
Jul 22, 2010
Worker influx is good
THE influx of more than 100,000 foreign workers this year shows the strength of job creation in Singapore and is not cause for concern, labour chief Lim Swee Say said on Wednesday.
Local workers should not fear, for the labour movement will still focus on upgrading their skills, he added.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on July 14 that more than 100,000 extra foreigners are set to enter the workforce this year.
Commenting on this, Mr Lim said: 'It's a good sign, because it shows that at a time when many countries are having a shortage of jobs, we are having a shortage of workers.'
Speaking to reporters at the launch of a training scheme for the cleaning industry, Mr Lim added that the focus should not be on the number of foreign workers, but on their quality.
The 100,000 new workers will differ from the thousands who have entered over the past three to five years: they will be higher-skilled and more productive.
- The Straits Times
Local workers should not fear, for the labour movement will still focus on upgrading their skills, he added.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on July 14 that more than 100,000 extra foreigners are set to enter the workforce this year.
Commenting on this, Mr Lim said: 'It's a good sign, because it shows that at a time when many countries are having a shortage of jobs, we are having a shortage of workers.'
Speaking to reporters at the launch of a training scheme for the cleaning industry, Mr Lim added that the focus should not be on the number of foreign workers, but on their quality.
The 100,000 new workers will differ from the thousands who have entered over the past three to five years: they will be higher-skilled and more productive.
- The Straits Times
Apr 11, 2010
Bosses hiring foreigners over S'poreans? Not true
MORE Singaporeans are complaining that employers prefer to hire foreigners over them.
But investigations by a tripartite panel that looks at work discrimination issues found that the accusations were invariably unfounded.
'In the cases we have intercepted, employers say this is based on the qualifications of the person and not nationalities,' said Madam Halimah Yacob, a labour MP who is co-chairman of the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (Tafep).
The alliance does not keep track of the number of complaints, but 'we do see more of them', she told reporters at the sidelines of a conference on fair employment practices.
Noting the concern expressed by Singaporeans who feel they have lost out, Madam Halimah said: 'We tell employers to be very careful and not say they prefer a certain nationality as Singaporeans get alarmed. Their ads should be based strictly on their needs.'
Her comments highlight an issue that has sparked tension in Singapore owing to the surge of foreigners in recent years.
Some netizens have posted job ads online, circling parts of them which specify that only certain nationalities need apply for a position.
Madam Halimah, however, feels the problem is counter-intuitive: 'Wise employers know they should look strictly at merit so that they get the best talent for the organisation.'
Her Tafep co-chairman Bob Tan, who is also vice-president of the Singapore National Employers Federation, agreed.
'From an employer's point of view, we want to hire the best. All things being equal, I would prefer to hire a Singaporean. A Singaporean has roots here. Whatever investments we put in, he will stay,' he said.
'Very often, there is some misunderstanding on why foreigners are hired over Singaporeans. It has got to do with the job requirements.'
Asked if cost is a factor as some foreigners tend to be less costly to hire than Singaporeans, Mr Tan said: 'Not necessarily so. In this tight labour market situation, I don't think anyone is being discriminated against.'
With the Government making clear it is slowing the flow of foreigners into Singapore, he added: 'It makes it more urgent for employers to hire and retain as many Singaporeans as possible.'
- The Straits Times
But investigations by a tripartite panel that looks at work discrimination issues found that the accusations were invariably unfounded.
'In the cases we have intercepted, employers say this is based on the qualifications of the person and not nationalities,' said Madam Halimah Yacob, a labour MP who is co-chairman of the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (Tafep).
The alliance does not keep track of the number of complaints, but 'we do see more of them', she told reporters at the sidelines of a conference on fair employment practices.
Noting the concern expressed by Singaporeans who feel they have lost out, Madam Halimah said: 'We tell employers to be very careful and not say they prefer a certain nationality as Singaporeans get alarmed. Their ads should be based strictly on their needs.'
Her comments highlight an issue that has sparked tension in Singapore owing to the surge of foreigners in recent years.
Some netizens have posted job ads online, circling parts of them which specify that only certain nationalities need apply for a position.
Madam Halimah, however, feels the problem is counter-intuitive: 'Wise employers know they should look strictly at merit so that they get the best talent for the organisation.'
Her Tafep co-chairman Bob Tan, who is also vice-president of the Singapore National Employers Federation, agreed.
'From an employer's point of view, we want to hire the best. All things being equal, I would prefer to hire a Singaporean. A Singaporean has roots here. Whatever investments we put in, he will stay,' he said.
'Very often, there is some misunderstanding on why foreigners are hired over Singaporeans. It has got to do with the job requirements.'
Asked if cost is a factor as some foreigners tend to be less costly to hire than Singaporeans, Mr Tan said: 'Not necessarily so. In this tight labour market situation, I don't think anyone is being discriminated against.'
With the Government making clear it is slowing the flow of foreigners into Singapore, he added: 'It makes it more urgent for employers to hire and retain as many Singaporeans as possible.'
- The Straits Times
Mar 23, 2010
Economist suggests recording how often job-seekers reject offers
SINGAPOREANS who complain about foreigners taking away their jobs may be protesting too much, a well-known Singapore economist has said.
Dr Tan Khee Giap, associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, yesterday cited figures showing that as of last September, about three out of 10 job vacancies - or 10,140 openings - had been unfilled for at least six months.
This was roughly the same level as the year before and implies that Singaporeans are turning their noses up at some jobs, he said at a seminar on Budget 2010.
To verify this 'voluntary unemployment', he suggested that every resident worker who is unemployed for more than three months should be made to register with the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), which will have to help him find a job based on his last drawn pay.
The WDA can then track how many times each unemployed person turns down a job - much like the statistics the Housing Board recently revealed of new flat buyers turning down flat options.
Dr Tan believes the WDA rejection rate will be fairly high, and that this will quash the perception there are not enough jobs to go around for Singaporeans. In this way, it would have the same effect as the HDB figures had in terms of public housing.
- The Straits Times
Dr Tan Khee Giap, associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, yesterday cited figures showing that as of last September, about three out of 10 job vacancies - or 10,140 openings - had been unfilled for at least six months.
This was roughly the same level as the year before and implies that Singaporeans are turning their noses up at some jobs, he said at a seminar on Budget 2010.
To verify this 'voluntary unemployment', he suggested that every resident worker who is unemployed for more than three months should be made to register with the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), which will have to help him find a job based on his last drawn pay.
The WDA can then track how many times each unemployed person turns down a job - much like the statistics the Housing Board recently revealed of new flat buyers turning down flat options.
Dr Tan believes the WDA rejection rate will be fairly high, and that this will quash the perception there are not enough jobs to go around for Singaporeans. In this way, it would have the same effect as the HDB figures had in terms of public housing.
- The Straits Times
Apr 24, 2009
4 in 10 laid off foreigners
FOUR out of 10 workers laid off last year were foreigners, according to latest figures from the Manpower Ministry (MOM).
The proportion is a 10-year high, and analysts say it shows that contrary to popular belief, Singaporeans have not unfairly borne the brunt of layoffs in the current recession.
'A lot of foreigners are employed in lower-skilled service industries which slowed down in the later part of last year, so they have been affected,' said Nanyang Technological University economist Choy Keen Meng.
A total of 16,880 workers lost their jobs last year, double the figure for 2007. Of these, 13,920 were retrenched and 2,970 had their contracts terminated prematurely.
The bulk of those in the latter group - 2,380 - were foreigners.
Of the 13,920 retrenched, 9,770 were locals - Singaporeans and permanent residents - and 4,140 foreigners.
As MOM pointed out, the proportion of foreigners laid off last year broadly reflects their presence in the workforce.
Foreigners made up 36 per cent of Singapore's workforce last December.
In actual numbers, they form 1.2 million of Singapore'sl population in June, driving it to a record 4.84 million.
The number of layoffs last year is the highest since 2003.
- The Straits Times
The proportion is a 10-year high, and analysts say it shows that contrary to popular belief, Singaporeans have not unfairly borne the brunt of layoffs in the current recession.
'A lot of foreigners are employed in lower-skilled service industries which slowed down in the later part of last year, so they have been affected,' said Nanyang Technological University economist Choy Keen Meng.
A total of 16,880 workers lost their jobs last year, double the figure for 2007. Of these, 13,920 were retrenched and 2,970 had their contracts terminated prematurely.
The bulk of those in the latter group - 2,380 - were foreigners.
Of the 13,920 retrenched, 9,770 were locals - Singaporeans and permanent residents - and 4,140 foreigners.
As MOM pointed out, the proportion of foreigners laid off last year broadly reflects their presence in the workforce.
Foreigners made up 36 per cent of Singapore's workforce last December.
In actual numbers, they form 1.2 million of Singapore'sl population in June, driving it to a record 4.84 million.
The number of layoffs last year is the highest since 2003.
- The Straits Times
Apr 14, 2009
Resorts World reassures S'poreans that bulk of the jobs will go to them
TWO reports circulating on the Internet that half of the 10,000 jobs at Sentosa's upcoming integrated resort (IR) have been set aside for foreigners have created a furore among some Singaporeans.
Two publications in the Philippines - the Manila Standard Today and the Philippine Star - on April 4 quoted the country's President Gloria Arroyo as saying she has secured 5,000 positions at the casino-resort - opening next year - for Filipinos.
She was quoted as saying she had sent a delegation to Singapore last month to explore job opportunities for Filipino nationals here, and added that Labour Secretary Marianito Roque met Resorts World at Sentosa chief executive officer Tan Hee Teck to talk about opportunities for Filipinos.
Manila Standard Today also quoted administrator Jennifer Manalili of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration as saying: 'They are expanding and there will be openings for workers for hotels, casinos and performers.'
Ms Manalili, who was part of the delegation here last month, added: 'Universal Studios will also have a theme park so they told us they want to hire Filipino talent and performers...They might come here to conduct auditions either next month or in June.'
She also told the Manila Standard Today the government will send another team here next month to 'finalise discussions and requirements for Filipino workers'.
The reaction on online forums here to the reports has been furious. Some said setting aside so many jobs for foreigners amounted to 'betrayal'. A netizen going by the nickname likedatosocan wrote on one local forum: 'I am jobless now and Singaporean. Why am I not employed? I can go low as well, I mean on salary. I speak English without accent. Why not hire me?'
Others questioned whether the service provided by the growing number of Filipino service staff here is better than that provided by Singaporeans.
When asked about the Philippine media reports, Resorts World spokesman Robin Goh would only confirm a meeting had taken place. 'The Philippine Embassy requested a meeting with Resorts World at Sentosa, which Resorts World hosted. Jobs for Filipinos were discussed during the meeting, in which Resorts World stated our commitment to hire Singaporeans first, particularly in this recession.'
He added: 'Resorts World will offer 10,000 jobs when we open, and we expect the bulk of them to go to Singaporeans.' He said the resort currently has 500 employees, of whom 80 per cent are Singaporeans and residents here. The remaining 20 per cent hail from countries like Australia, Britain, Malaysia and the United States.
- The Straits Times
Two publications in the Philippines - the Manila Standard Today and the Philippine Star - on April 4 quoted the country's President Gloria Arroyo as saying she has secured 5,000 positions at the casino-resort - opening next year - for Filipinos.
She was quoted as saying she had sent a delegation to Singapore last month to explore job opportunities for Filipino nationals here, and added that Labour Secretary Marianito Roque met Resorts World at Sentosa chief executive officer Tan Hee Teck to talk about opportunities for Filipinos.
Manila Standard Today also quoted administrator Jennifer Manalili of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration as saying: 'They are expanding and there will be openings for workers for hotels, casinos and performers.'
Ms Manalili, who was part of the delegation here last month, added: 'Universal Studios will also have a theme park so they told us they want to hire Filipino talent and performers...They might come here to conduct auditions either next month or in June.'
She also told the Manila Standard Today the government will send another team here next month to 'finalise discussions and requirements for Filipino workers'.
The reaction on online forums here to the reports has been furious. Some said setting aside so many jobs for foreigners amounted to 'betrayal'. A netizen going by the nickname likedatosocan wrote on one local forum: 'I am jobless now and Singaporean. Why am I not employed? I can go low as well, I mean on salary. I speak English without accent. Why not hire me?'
Others questioned whether the service provided by the growing number of Filipino service staff here is better than that provided by Singaporeans.
When asked about the Philippine media reports, Resorts World spokesman Robin Goh would only confirm a meeting had taken place. 'The Philippine Embassy requested a meeting with Resorts World at Sentosa, which Resorts World hosted. Jobs for Filipinos were discussed during the meeting, in which Resorts World stated our commitment to hire Singaporeans first, particularly in this recession.'
He added: 'Resorts World will offer 10,000 jobs when we open, and we expect the bulk of them to go to Singaporeans.' He said the resort currently has 500 employees, of whom 80 per cent are Singaporeans and residents here. The remaining 20 per cent hail from countries like Australia, Britain, Malaysia and the United States.
- The Straits Times
Mar 16, 2009
Foreigners got 7 in 10 new jobs
FOREIGNERS got the lion's share of jobs created last year, but nearly all of these were in the construction and service sectors.
The latest official figures showed a record 156,900 of them joined the workforce, soaking up seven in 10 of the new jobs. The remaining 64,700 new jobs went to Singaporeans and permanent residents.
These new numbers are derived from the labour market report for 2008 released by the Manpower Ministry yesterday.
While the stark difference in the share of new jobs may raise eyebrows, analysts say it does not indicate that locals were losing out.
They noted that most of the jobs taken by foreigners were shunned by locals.
Economist Choy Keen Meng of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) said: 'I wouldn't say that locals have been sidelined; it's just that most of the new jobs created are in construction and low-skilled service industries.
'So they naturally went to cheaper foreign workers.'
Labour MP Halimah Yacob agreed: 'If you boil it down to the sectors, you will see they are working in jobs like construction, where it is not easy to attract locals.'
All in, a total of 221,600 jobs were created last year. But most came onstream at the start of 2008, before recession in the second half brought the carnage towards the end.
- The Straits Times
The latest official figures showed a record 156,900 of them joined the workforce, soaking up seven in 10 of the new jobs. The remaining 64,700 new jobs went to Singaporeans and permanent residents.
These new numbers are derived from the labour market report for 2008 released by the Manpower Ministry yesterday.
While the stark difference in the share of new jobs may raise eyebrows, analysts say it does not indicate that locals were losing out.
They noted that most of the jobs taken by foreigners were shunned by locals.
Economist Choy Keen Meng of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) said: 'I wouldn't say that locals have been sidelined; it's just that most of the new jobs created are in construction and low-skilled service industries.
'So they naturally went to cheaper foreign workers.'
Labour MP Halimah Yacob agreed: 'If you boil it down to the sectors, you will see they are working in jobs like construction, where it is not easy to attract locals.'
All in, a total of 221,600 jobs were created last year. But most came onstream at the start of 2008, before recession in the second half brought the carnage towards the end.
- The Straits Times
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