PAP Spin - Several foreign firms prepare to leave S'pore

[winnipegjets]

Labour tightening measures have hit them hard; letter conveys concerns to minister
By malminderjit singh

[SINGAPORE] Some foreign companies in Singapore have started to pull out of the country as the government tightens the inflow of foreign workers here. More could follow suit.

According to the latest manpower survey by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Singapore, 5 per cent of respondent companies, made up of AmCham members, have already moved operations out of Singapore as a result of the labour tightening measures introduced last year. The survey, conducted in the third quarter of last year, showed that a further 15 per cent of respondents are looking at relocating their operations overseas.

"While we understand the pressures that Singapore's limited area and resources place on crafting long-term policy, we worry that the trajectory announced could significantly cut workforce growth and have drastic consequences for businesses and the economy of Singapore," said AmCham chairman Simon Kahn.

"As the percentage of Singaporeans qualifying for PMET (professional, manager, executive and technician) jobs continues to increase, the supply of workers to fill these non-PMET roles will continue to shrink. Without access to foreign workers here in Singapore, companies that cannot adapt will be forced to leave the country."

 

[winnipegjets]

This departure is a good thing then as it forces existing companies to move up the value chain and use more PMET sinkees and increase capital use.

Decades of cheap wages have only resulted in lowering our standard of living and pushing up inflation - a double whammy.

 

[laksaboy]

Many of these companies would not have hired Singaporeans anyway.

They're here because of the lack of labour protection laws (more legal exploitation) and the low corporate tax rates.

These are nothing more than parasites. Good riddance to them.

 

[batman1]

They must relocate now to North Korea,Iran ,Afghanistan or Iraq.Good Riddance!

 

[andyfisher]

This is a scare tactic to cow the population

It will be really sad if chinkporeans fall for this crap.

 

[Leepotism]

Let them leave. No love lost.

 

[DuYunQi]

It's simple business for these companies who want to leave, thinking of leaving or say they will leave if no more foreigner (cheap labour) is available... can't reduce costs to maximise profits, go another place where they CAN!

If the government is so cowardly as to really listen to these lousy companies, and then let in EVEN MORE FOREIGNERS, then I say we go to the streets to let not only the government know how WE feel, but also to let companies (both local and foreign), know that we can't be fooled into accepting low wages anymore.

 

[halsey02]

Many of these companies would not have hired Singaporeans anyway.

They're here because of the lack of labour protection laws (more legal exploitation) and the low corporate tax rates.

These are nothing more than parasites. Good riddance to them.

I agree with you, during my time I hear the same spin from the main union. "ants till U c", if we do not raise productivity, "bite the bullet" expect lower salaries & bonuses, these companies will leave SINgapore.

This is 2013 & that was 1985, what have changed? back then, they allowed the companies to ship in "busloads" of Malaysians to depress the local salaries...now?

Why do we vote for a government that never, ever put the people first?? ( the 60% that is)

 

[garlic]

Just last week was this article.. after white paper debate then say firms leave..

Singapore attracted a record $16 billion in fixed asset investment last year, the Economic Development Board said today.

This was a 16 per cent increase from the investments that flowed to Singapore back in 2011, a positive sign given that the global economy remains weak.

http://www.straitstimes.com/breakin...ord-16-billion-investments-last-year-20130128

 

[johnny333]

Costs in Thailand, China,.... are going up because of wages. These countries are facing the same realities as Spore. In Spore it is worst because of high rentals & utilities.

You can't have all those PAP multi-million dollar MPs & yet expect cheap labour. Didn't some survey indicate that Spore is one of the most expensive places in asia

 

[Enforcer]

Those white shits are using the fear tactics again. No innovation.

 

[BlueBrother]

PAP got nothing better to say than bring up such a lame point. Business come & go all day long. Uncompetitive or mismanaged biz will bleed and leave. If they don't leave how to make room for better biz that can really use the Singaporean PMET. Don't waste time on this pointless subject. PAP should tell the people exactly what the PAP is going to do for the marginalized Singapore workers that have been affected by some of the foreign workers. I have friends and family members that are in their prime that are now unemployed, some unemployed for over 1 years and many under-employed, i.e. they are employed for a lesser role than their ability and with much lower pay. They should not always just look at high level big picture policy, they need to dig deeper to see who and how the average Singaporeans are suffering. These people cannot wait much longer unless you want to see more severe social problems popping up. Soon even porridge also cannot eat.

 

[Kinana]

If you are one person who had your feet on the business grounds, you will know that this is true.
Business are suffering right now and so will singkies who are either employed by these business or have contracts with these businesses.
Unfortunately, you ppl only hide in your homes typing on computers

 

[winnipegjets]

If you are one person who had your feet on the business grounds, you will know that this is true.
Business are suffering right now and so will singkies who are either employed by these business or have contracts with these businesses.
Unfortunately, you ppl only hide in your homes typing on computers

These business that are suffering because they are badly run. They should have known that the reliance on foreign cheap labour will not be possible forever. Yet, they chose not to adjust for more than 2 decades. If these companies fail, others who are better will appear. Good paying jobs for sinkees will appear only when cheap foreign labour is no longer possible.

 

[Kinana]

These business that are suffering because they are badly run. They should have known that the reliance on foreign cheap labour will not be possible forever. Yet, they chose not to adjust for more than 2 decades. If these companies fail, others who are better will appear. Good paying jobs for sinkees will appear only when cheap foreign labour is no longer possible.

Again you show you don't have your feet on the business grounds and don't understand what you are talking about.

 

[mojoe]

If you are one person who had your feet on the business grounds, you will know that this is true.
Business are suffering right now and so will singkies who are either employed by these business or have contracts with these businesses.
Unfortunately, you ppl only hide in your homes typing on computers

are you a businessman?

 

[Agoraphobic]

Guys, Sg is not the only country in the world where things happen. All around us, our neighbours are advancing themselves, in infractructure, education, quality of life - it is happening all around, with much bigger populations, more land, more resources. Sg has lost her competitive edge as these countries progress and modernise. Don't forget, backward countries can advance and progress into high end, high tech goods like electronics, Peesai is unable to go back into prawn farming even. Good luck. The comfortable days are over.

Cheers!

 

[Equalisation]

Knn .... spin here, spin there, spin until all OUR hard-earned Cpf money not given back yo us at age 55 !!

 

[laksaboy]

Just last week was this article.. after white paper debate then say firms leave..

Singapore attracted a record $16 billion in fixed asset investment last year, the Economic Development Board said today.

This was a 16 per cent increase from the investments that flowed to Singapore back in 2011, a positive sign given that the global economy remains weak.

http://www.straitstimes.com/breakin...ord-16-billion-investments-last-year-20130128

That could mean a property bubble spiraling out of control. Not necessarily something to boast about.

 

[laksaboy]

are you a businessman?

Full-time pro-PAP astroturfing is also a business, why not?