Zorro Lim says union leaders can see shortage of workers, hire more FT

[downgrader]

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,397063,00.html?
Hire skilled foreign workers to raise productivity: Swee Say
He says labour movement in favour of having more foreign workers


By LEE U-WEN


WHILE Singapore is poised to bring in over 100,000 new foreign workers this year because of the economy's stunning rebound, the labour movement is concerned that this could come at the expense of efforts to improve productivity.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that it is inevitable that companies here will have to bring in more foreign workers to meet rising demand, with the economy now poised to expand 13-15 per cent this year.

Speaking at a tripartism dialogue yesterday, labour chief Lim Swee Say said that the labour movement is in favour of having more foreign workers, though the actual number will depend on the needs and performance of the economy.

'Our union leaders on the ground can see the shortage of workers. Our local workers are putting in so much overtime that it has affected their work-life balance,' he said at the dialogue during the Singapore National Employers Federation's 30th anniversary CEO and Employers summit.

Foreign workers serve two important purposes: One, they act as a buffer when retrenchments need to be made during a downturn. Second, they complement and add value to the workforce, especially during good times.

Mr Lim, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, said that it is important not to recruit foreign workers blindly. 'If we keep bringing in those who are unskilled and low-wage, you don't actually upgrade the workforce. This movement towards higher productivity should apply to both the local and foreign workforce,' he said, citing Singapore's aim to raise productivity growth to 2-3 per cent per annum over the next 10 years.

Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong said that while companies continue to bring in higher-quality manpower, they should also think about how to do tasks in different ways so that they eventually rely on fewer people.

Reiterating a point made by PM Lee earlier in the day, Mr Gan said: 'Productivity is about using fewer resources to produce the same value, or using the same amount to produce more.'

Even with the economy in a healthy state and unemployment at a relatively low 2.2 per cent, Mr Gan warned against being complacent. He urged employers to continue to send staff for skills upgrading, especially prized workers, who could decide to jump ship to another company when the economy recovers from the downturn.

Echoed Mr Lim: 'If you don't send your best staff for upgrading during the downturn, when will you ever do so? Invest in them, so they will lead your company to greater heights. That's what some companies have done, and today they are in a much better position to go further.'

 

[littlefish]

Foreign workers serve two important purposes: One, they act as a buffer when retrenchments need to be made during a downturn. Second, they complement and add value to the workforce, especially during good times.

This must be the greatest joke of the century.
Actual meaning: One, to the employers, especially MNCs, they don't care about the nationality of the employees during a downturn. They will cut whoever is costing them more (CPF and NS). Managers (whether foreign or local) are also more likely to sack SGreans because they are viewed as a threat due to homeground advantage (foreign subordinates are usually viewed as less of a threat unless they are the outspoken type). Second, they provide a damper on wages during good times due to the rapid expansion of the labour force.

If SGreans believe crap like this, they deserve all the PAP government they are getting.

 

[Orion]

Other countries talked about protection of the workers during a downtown. Only our gov talks about the reverse. How to earn the people's trust?

The whole world is not blinded. They know our gov is not popular.

 

[Conan the Barbarian]

The only place on earth where the Union actively encourages more competition
for the very members whom they are suppose to fight for in terms of better
wages and hours.

 

[rodent2005]

The only place on earth where the Union actively encourages more competition
for the very members whom they are suppose to fight for in terms of better
wages and hours.

What do you expect from Government-controlled unions?

 

[Brightkid]

If Zorro is still alive today (assuming there is such a person), he would have jumped up from his grave and craved a 'Z' on this clown's butt for insulting Zorro.

I thought Zorro was a do-gooder fighting crimes and championing the welfare of the people around him.

This clown sells out the very citizen that voted for PAP (he may be slipped in via GRC strategy) in favour of FW/FT and still have the cheek to want to be Zorro.