Source: Channel NewsAsia
Do your part to make SkillsFuture a reality: PM Lee's May Day message
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says that productivity in Singapore has risen too slowly in the past few years, and if it continues to stagnate, wages could fall back, hence the importance of the SkillsFuture movement.
SINGAPORE: In his May Day message on released on Thursday (Apr 30), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore must remain focused on growth because that is how the Government can afford to invest in healthcare, education and its people.
"Our economy grew by 2.9 per cent last year. This year we expect between 2 per cent and 4 per cent," he said. "We have to get used to slower growth than before, because our economy is more mature and we have tightened up on foreign manpower."
Mr Lee stressed the importance of productivity and innovation in his message, saying productivity has risen too slowly in the past few years, in part due to the "unsettled world economy". He warned that if it continues to stagnate, so will wages, which may even fall back. Mr Lee reiterated that productivity is the only sustainable way to raise wages and enhance careers in a tight labour market.
"We need a fresh approach. That is why we are working hard to make SkillsFuture a reality," Mr Lee said.
SkillsFuture, he said, is about adapting to new technologies, seizing opportunities, creating value and equipping workers for the future. The SkillsFuture movement encourages people to learn and upgrade their skills at every stage of their lives.
But for SkillsFuture to take off, Mr Lee said everyone has to play a part. For instance, employers must support workers and grant them time-off to attend training and workers must take charge of their development and careers.
"As a society, we must be supportive and open-minded. We should not measure people by their paper qualifications, but by their skills and contributions," Mr Lee added.
The Prime Minister said tripartism - the partnership between the Government, employers and workers - can make SkillsFuture work. "Nowhere else in the world do Government, employers and workers work closely together, give-and-take and create win-win outcomes out of difficult circumstances. Unity is our greatest strength," Mr Lee said.
By working together, he said, Singapore can achieve growth, raise wages and achieve better lives for all.
- CNA/ly
Do your part to make SkillsFuture a reality: PM Lee's May Day message
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says that productivity in Singapore has risen too slowly in the past few years, and if it continues to stagnate, wages could fall back, hence the importance of the SkillsFuture movement.
SINGAPORE: In his May Day message on released on Thursday (Apr 30), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore must remain focused on growth because that is how the Government can afford to invest in healthcare, education and its people.
"Our economy grew by 2.9 per cent last year. This year we expect between 2 per cent and 4 per cent," he said. "We have to get used to slower growth than before, because our economy is more mature and we have tightened up on foreign manpower."
Mr Lee stressed the importance of productivity and innovation in his message, saying productivity has risen too slowly in the past few years, in part due to the "unsettled world economy". He warned that if it continues to stagnate, so will wages, which may even fall back. Mr Lee reiterated that productivity is the only sustainable way to raise wages and enhance careers in a tight labour market.
"We need a fresh approach. That is why we are working hard to make SkillsFuture a reality," Mr Lee said.
SkillsFuture, he said, is about adapting to new technologies, seizing opportunities, creating value and equipping workers for the future. The SkillsFuture movement encourages people to learn and upgrade their skills at every stage of their lives.
But for SkillsFuture to take off, Mr Lee said everyone has to play a part. For instance, employers must support workers and grant them time-off to attend training and workers must take charge of their development and careers.
"As a society, we must be supportive and open-minded. We should not measure people by their paper qualifications, but by their skills and contributions," Mr Lee added.
The Prime Minister said tripartism - the partnership between the Government, employers and workers - can make SkillsFuture work. "Nowhere else in the world do Government, employers and workers work closely together, give-and-take and create win-win outcomes out of difficult circumstances. Unity is our greatest strength," Mr Lee said.
By working together, he said, Singapore can achieve growth, raise wages and achieve better lives for all.
- CNA/ly
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