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<TABLE id=msgUN border=0 cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD id=msgUNsubj vAlign=top> Coffeeshop Chit Chat - MP Yeo: Optimal ratio is 1 FT to 2 SGs</TD><TD id=msgunetc noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=msgtable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="96%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=msg vAlign=top><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgbfr1 width="1%"></TD><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead vAlign=top><TD class=msgF width="1%" noWrap align=right>From: </TD><TD class=msgFname width="68%" noWrap>kojakbt_89_ <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgDate width="30%" noWrap align=right>Jun-21 8:26 pm </TD></TR><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgT height=20 width="1%" noWrap align=right>To: </TD><TD class=msgTname width="68%" noWrap>ALL <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgNum noWrap align=right>(1 of 14) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgleft rowSpan=4 width="1%"></TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>53027.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD id=msgtxt_1 class=msgtxt>Jun 22, 2011
'Optimal' ratio of 1 foreign worker to 2 Singaporeans
Mr Alhaj Abdul Salam, 26, dancing with a singer at last night's roadshow aimed at promoting workplace harmony. Migrant Workers Centre chairman Yeo Guat Kwang said the ratio of foreign workers to Singaporeans has to be kept under firm control, even as employers complain that it is difficult to find enough staff. -- ST PHOTO: LIM WUI LIANG
THE current ratio of one foreign worker to two Singaporeans is optimal and this has to be kept under firm control, even as employers complain that it is difficult to find enough staff, said Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, director for Quality Worklife and All Nationalities at the National Trades Union Congress.
He added that it was the duty of companies to work within this ratio and redesign jobs to make them more productive, and to attract Singaporeans to take them on. 'From the labour movement we are working to help these bosses to see how we can put in measures to push up the productivity,' he said.
'That's important because if we don't make the job a better one, fewer and fewer Singaporeans will be willing to do them.'
He was responding to questions from The Straits Times last night about recent media reports that companies have had to turn away business because of the lack of manpower.
Mr Yeo, who is also chairman of the Migrant Workers Centre (MWC), which helps foreign workers settle workplace disputes, was speaking on the sidelines of a roadshow at Tampines Dormitory.
He added that the 1.05 million foreign workers here make up close to one-third of Singapore's total workforce.
With the tight labour market situation in Singapore, he said, employers were looking at paying higher labour costs anyway and this was a good time for them to re-evaluate their processes and increase the value of jobs.
He noted that Singapore still needed foreign workers to help contribute to its economy, which was why it was important to reach out to them through community events such as last night's roadshow.
Themed 'Embracing Differences', such roadshows, organised by MWC and the Singapore National Employers Federation, aim to promote workplace harmony through the integration of migrant workers within their living and working environments.
About 3,000 workers living in the dormitory were treated to a night of song and dance, including getai performances. They also played carnival games and even had an artist on hand to draw caricatures of them as keepsakes.
Beyond the fun and games, there was also a social integration exhibition, displayed in English, Chinese, Tamil and Bengali, which provided information on Singapore's history, customs and social norms.
Workers also received a handbook with information on how to use the public transport system, among other things.
Last night's roadshow was the first of four. It will next travel to dormitories in the Pioneer, Sembawang and Jurong West areas. All in, organisers hope to reach out to some 12,000 migrant workers this way.
NG KAI LING
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'Optimal' ratio of 1 foreign worker to 2 Singaporeans
THE current ratio of one foreign worker to two Singaporeans is optimal and this has to be kept under firm control, even as employers complain that it is difficult to find enough staff, said Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, director for Quality Worklife and All Nationalities at the National Trades Union Congress.
He added that it was the duty of companies to work within this ratio and redesign jobs to make them more productive, and to attract Singaporeans to take them on. 'From the labour movement we are working to help these bosses to see how we can put in measures to push up the productivity,' he said.
'That's important because if we don't make the job a better one, fewer and fewer Singaporeans will be willing to do them.'
He was responding to questions from The Straits Times last night about recent media reports that companies have had to turn away business because of the lack of manpower.
Mr Yeo, who is also chairman of the Migrant Workers Centre (MWC), which helps foreign workers settle workplace disputes, was speaking on the sidelines of a roadshow at Tampines Dormitory.
He added that the 1.05 million foreign workers here make up close to one-third of Singapore's total workforce.
With the tight labour market situation in Singapore, he said, employers were looking at paying higher labour costs anyway and this was a good time for them to re-evaluate their processes and increase the value of jobs.
He noted that Singapore still needed foreign workers to help contribute to its economy, which was why it was important to reach out to them through community events such as last night's roadshow.
Themed 'Embracing Differences', such roadshows, organised by MWC and the Singapore National Employers Federation, aim to promote workplace harmony through the integration of migrant workers within their living and working environments.
About 3,000 workers living in the dormitory were treated to a night of song and dance, including getai performances. They also played carnival games and even had an artist on hand to draw caricatures of them as keepsakes.
Beyond the fun and games, there was also a social integration exhibition, displayed in English, Chinese, Tamil and Bengali, which provided information on Singapore's history, customs and social norms.
Workers also received a handbook with information on how to use the public transport system, among other things.
Last night's roadshow was the first of four. It will next travel to dormitories in the Pioneer, Sembawang and Jurong West areas. All in, organisers hope to reach out to some 12,000 migrant workers this way.
NG KAI LING
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