2 in 5 NSmen say employers rather hire staff with no NS commitments: survey

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It looks like nearly half of employed Singaporean national servicemen believe that employers tend to prefer to hire people who do not have national service (NS) commitments.

This was one of the many findings of a study released on Tuesday and conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) on the attitudes that Singaporeans have toward NS.

When asked in face-to-face interviews whether they felt that their employers preferred to hire people without NS commitments, 42.1 per cent of the employed servicemen who responded said they either "slightly agreed", "agreed" or "strongly agreed".

However, 89 per cent of employed servicemen respondents said employers generally were supportive of NS commitments and 76.9 per cent said their bosses would adjust the reservists’ workload to take them into account.

On the perceived preference towards hiring those without NS commitments, IPS research fellow Leong Chan-Hoong, who led the study, told Yahoo Singapore it could be because some industries need more responsiveness and dedication on the part of their employees.

"But let's not get carried away," he said. "Two out of five is not a majority, and this is a preference rating. There are many factors beside NS obligation, and the recent policy change on EP (employment pass) employment market testing requirement would have at least addressed some of these issues."

[Let us know what you think! Respond to our Yahoo Answers question: Do companies here practice discriminatory hiring against NSmen, because of their commitments?]

The IPS study polled 1,251 Singapore citizens of varying backgrounds and ages in various things about NS, including the topic of women being conscripted or serving in other capacities, for instance in volunteer work.

It was commissioned by the government-appointed Committee to Strengthen National Service, which is headed by defence minister Ng Eng Hen. The findings were presented on Tuesday afternoon to the committee with recommendations on how to improve the NS system, which a Singapore blogger recently described as a form of “slavery”.

Should women serve NS?

To the question on whether women should serve NS, some 41.8 per cent of male respondents said yes. Much higher positive responses came from servicemen respondents when asked about whether women and PRs who are currently exempt from serving NS should contribute to defence as volunteers — with 80.7 saying women should, and 77.4 per cent of them saying PRs ought to.

Surprisingly, some 35.8 per cent of women who responded to the survey said either "Maybe yes", "Yes" or "Definitely yes" when asked whether they should serve NS.

In fact, more than half of the study's female respondents said they agreed that they should serve "a shorter military service", with a further 21.9 per cent of women saying they would take it on themselves. Meanwhile, 21.7 per cent of women said they should serve the full two-year NS period, with 9.3 per cent saying they would take it up themselves.

These positive sentiments surprised Leong, who said in the interview that he suspected it was because women lacked personal experience with NS.

"I don't think women will be made to serve NS, not on a compulsory basis," he said, stressing that this was his opinion. "But I hope the scope for women to contribute to defence (as volunteers) will be widened, (with) NS being one of the many options."

He voiced his doubts that the take-up rate for full-time NS would be as high as the 9.3 per cent of female respondents who said they would conscript themselves, but said he hoped a shorter duration would not be imposed as it "will erode the principle of universal policy implementation".

Commenting on the study's findings on PRs, Leong also said this would be an "opportune time" for more of them to be involved.

"It is an opportune time for first-generation PRs to step in too, if they want to be more deeply involved in Singapore society but are not prepared to give up their foreign citizenship," he said, adding that Singapore could follow in the footsteps of the US, which currently allows first-generation PRs between 17 and 34 years old to serve in the military.

Given the numerous positive findings of the study about trust in the dignity and impartiality of NS, Leong noted Singaporeans showed strong support for having the NS institution, despite recent safety issues and the global shift away from military conscription.

"In this regard, NS is more like Switzerland than Taiwan; it has become a rite of passage and a ubiquitous Singaporean identity," he said. "It is not just a means to meet the defence mandate but there is a strong social, nation-building element."
 
When asked in face-to-face interviews whether they felt that their employers preferred to hire people without NS commitments, 42.1 per cent of the employed servicemen who responded said they either "slightly agreed", "agreed" or "strongly agreed".

However, 89 per cent of employed servicemen respondents said employers generally were supportive of NS commitments and 76.9 per cent said their bosses would adjust the reservists’ workload to take them into account.

The survey and reality clearly shows that opposition supporting retards trumpeting the problems of NS and employers are not true
 
I don't think it is necessary to do a survey to answer this question on who to employ. A business will employ whoever is best suited to carry out the functions of the job they can find. Doesn't matter what race, age, religion, sexual orientation. If there are a number of equally suitable persons, then the choice will be the most economical among them. If there happens to be only one candidate, then that person will be hired to fill that post. If there are none, then go to look beyond the country's shores.

Cheers!
 
All these wayang from way , way back, the nearest era wold be around 1997..where there is a 'secret' order from MOM to employ a certain percentage of locals; the employers go round this, by employing...'LOCALS' for PR is considered as LOCALS also, doesn't matter if they do not have PINK IC..& you find many LOCAL Malaysians, Indonesians, "pundek', Filipinos...etc..

Back in those days..my boss from a certain Asian country, who became a good friend also...I asked him for the 'token' number of locals, me included, why he does not want to employ?? they have better or even equivalent to the PR's we employ??

The answer was straight forward, the management from HQ office...not here, does not want interruption in certain projects the staff are working on....& locals have RESERVIST obligation.

These people only give lip service, when you ask them...even those official surveys...I think many who are in management received...only tick the columns to please the government agencies that sent the surveys..and those who come to the office to interview..

In reality...you think they really support..NS etc..
 
Just a simple scenario. Imagine a company with a foreign manager and two employees, you and another foreigner. The foreign employee has no reservist obligations and no family here. Let's say business goes bad and the manager is forced to cut one headcount. Assume both of you have roughly the same capability. Do you think the boss would cut the one with no reservist duties and is willing to work long hours every day?
 
It is obvious people prefer subordinates do not suddenly dump work at them when they are heading back to camp. Those foreigners who say otherwise are simply being dishonest. They benefit from competing with all the handicapped nsmen.

The press has always implied Singapore is blessed with one party rule because we do not suffer from gridlock like the usa, but look closer and you see a cabinet so wishy washy my grandmother makes faster decisions. This ns obligation fiasco has gone on for far too long. The PAP is incompetent.
 
what happen to the other half? they retarded?
or they work in the gov sector?
i did not know half our workforce in gov sector. but the only explanation.
 
that is what happen when sinkies stupidly and ball-lessly wait for 2016. like Zeddy.
 
ns makes the playing field uneven. logic will tell you that. they might not discriminate against reservists, which anyone should strongly doubt, but you are still carrying a monkey on your back. same with pregnancy
 
employer will of cos prefer someone who can contribute better and more lah, instead of having to find temp staff to cover the duties. Extra costs and reduce efficiency.
 
It is obvious people prefer subordinates do not suddenly dump work at them when they are heading back to camp. Those foreigners who say otherwise are simply being dishonest. They benefit from competing with all the handicapped nsmen.

The press has always implied Singapore is blessed with one party rule because we do not suffer from gridlock like the usa, but look closer and you see a cabinet so wishy washy my grandmother makes faster decisions. This ns obligation fiasco has gone on for far too long. The PAP is incompetent.

You got this right, "handicapped NS men"... that was what hindered many who after completing NS in the 70's, 80's & even 90's faces...today too!!. The woman have 5- 10 years working experience before them & earning a regular income & lifestyle too...In the past, it was only the women, then with Malaysians...now!! what are you defending??

psst! whom did your grandma voted for??
 
And who did these 2 in 5 SGs vote for? FAP Traitors regardless?
 
And who did these 2 in 5 SGs vote for? FAP Traitors regardless?

2 in 5 = 40% :rolleyes:

And the statement belows proves that the 40% is wrong
However, 89 per cent of employed servicemen respondents said employers generally were supportive of NS commitments and 76.9 per cent said their bosses would adjust the reservists’ workload to take them into account.
 
These guys served NS to protect our country. They should be given preference over FT and those without NS when seeking jobs if all of equal qualifications. Govt inefficient, no one cares, NS men fed up, what happens? Singapore disintegrates.
 
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