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[h=1]Call to put local PMEs' interests first[/h]
MP Patrick Tay (pictured above) cautioned that measures like labour-market testing could be just "window dressing" for an employer bent on recruiting foreigners.
By Adrian Lim
My Paper
Wednesday, Feb 06, 2013
The interests of Singapore's professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) must be placed ahead of those of their foreign counterparts, said several Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday.
While they admitted that foreign labour was required to take on jobs Singaporeans might shun, safeguards must be in place to ensure that local PMEs have job security and fair wages.
This was put forth by MP Patrick Tay, who cautioned that measures like labour-market testing could be just "window dressing" for an employer bent on recruiting foreigners.
Mr Tay, who is the director of NTUC's legal-services department and PME unit, proposed more stringent initiatives, such as coming up with a COE, or "Conditions of Eligibility", for employers to meet before they can hire foreign PMEs.
He added that there should be ready avenues for local PMEs to upgrade their skills, to stand up to competition from well-qualified foreigners.
According to the White Paper's projections, two thirds of Singaporeans will hold professional, manager, executive and technician jobs by 2030. This translates to 1.25 million Singaporeans, compared to just 850,000 currently.
MP Vikram Nair proposed that employers must give a longer notice period before terminating an employee's contract, and aspiring Singaporeans with good grades be given more opportunities to study in professional courses like medicine.
Mr Nair said that immigration, while already tightened, is still necessary. He alluded to small and medium-sized enterprises, which may require foreign labour to start up, but whose jobs may be taken over by Singaporeans later on.
In the larger picture, he said foreign workers are needed in sectors like construction, which will be critical for the country's expansion plans in terms of building flats and train infrastructure.
[email][email protected][/EMAIL]
Get my paper for more stories.
MP Patrick Tay (pictured above) cautioned that measures like labour-market testing could be just "window dressing" for an employer bent on recruiting foreigners.
By Adrian Lim
My Paper
Wednesday, Feb 06, 2013
The interests of Singapore's professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) must be placed ahead of those of their foreign counterparts, said several Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday.
While they admitted that foreign labour was required to take on jobs Singaporeans might shun, safeguards must be in place to ensure that local PMEs have job security and fair wages.
This was put forth by MP Patrick Tay, who cautioned that measures like labour-market testing could be just "window dressing" for an employer bent on recruiting foreigners.
Mr Tay, who is the director of NTUC's legal-services department and PME unit, proposed more stringent initiatives, such as coming up with a COE, or "Conditions of Eligibility", for employers to meet before they can hire foreign PMEs.
He added that there should be ready avenues for local PMEs to upgrade their skills, to stand up to competition from well-qualified foreigners.
According to the White Paper's projections, two thirds of Singaporeans will hold professional, manager, executive and technician jobs by 2030. This translates to 1.25 million Singaporeans, compared to just 850,000 currently.
MP Vikram Nair proposed that employers must give a longer notice period before terminating an employee's contract, and aspiring Singaporeans with good grades be given more opportunities to study in professional courses like medicine.
Mr Nair said that immigration, while already tightened, is still necessary. He alluded to small and medium-sized enterprises, which may require foreign labour to start up, but whose jobs may be taken over by Singaporeans later on.
In the larger picture, he said foreign workers are needed in sectors like construction, which will be critical for the country's expansion plans in terms of building flats and train infrastructure.
[email][email protected][/EMAIL]
Get my paper for more stories.
