Jobs don't go to Singaporeans

[orwell76]

Jan 31, 2008

6 in 10 new jobs go to foreigners
By Goh Chin Lian

SIX in ten jobs created last year went to foreigners, the first time in at least six years that their share was larger than locals.

This comes at a time when job creation is at a record high, and unemployment and retrenchment at record lows.

The Manpower Ministry noted in its latest employment report released on Thursday that both locals - Singaporeans and permanent residents -- and foreigners benefited from the strong job creation.

Local employment grew by 92,100 last year, up from 90,900 the previous year.

This is the third successive year that local employment creation has set record highs.

But the local share of total new jobs dropped from 52 per cent in 2006 to 39 per cent last year, 'given the limits to the growth of Singapore's indigenous workforce and the larger base of jobs created', the ministry said.

Foreign employment rose by 144,500 last year, 'enabling the economy to grow beyond the limits of Singapore's indigenous workforce', it said.

As at December last year, one in three workers here - or 900,800 - were foreigners.

The booming economy, with the buoyant service and construction sectors, created 236,600 jobs, up from 176,000 in the previous year. This is an 11-year high.

The services sector contributed 144,100 more jobs, boosted by the rapid increase in hiring across a wide range of industries, led by financial and professional services.

The construction sector added 49,000 workers, double that of the previous year.

Manufacturing employment also rose, by 49,900, spurred by strong demand in marine and offshore engineering.

Overall unemployment averaged 2.1 per cent, down from 2.7 per cent the previous year. Resident unemployment fell to 3 per cent, down from 3.6 per cent in 2006. Both overall and resident unemployment are at their lowest in a decade.

On average, 56,900 residents were unemployed last year, down from 67,600 the previous year.

Similarly, retrenchment fell to a 14-year low. Overall, 7,200 workers were laid off, down from 12,603 the previous year. The bulk of lay offs came from manufacturing.

[dk99]

Ahem.... and the 4 consist of singaporeans and PR.

[orwell76]

Ahem.... and the 4 consist of singaporeans and PR.

Thanks for highlighting that...

[jpcc]

Mmm, logically thinking, if it is regarding elites ignoring the interests of
local/ natives. Fret not. The ruling elites will be more worried as the votes
will be determined by locals sans PR/ foreigners.

[orwell76]

Mmm, logically thinking, if it is regarding elites ignoring the interests of
local/ natives. Fret not. The ruling elites will be more worried as the votes
will be determined by locals sans PR/ foreigners.

That can be overcome by enlarging GRCs. We still have 14 single seat wards...

[Palmed Again]

I wonder if the Ministar will have to hem and haw his way out of this one, like when the same stats came out last year?

[Lucien]

Well, the hard sad truth is we do need foreign talent...

[AKA Lance]

Well, the hard sad truth is we do need foreign talent...

If truly we did. Then we deserved to be displaced in the workforce.

[buaytahhan]

I'd take the reported statistics with a pinch of salt. The article did not provide any information on the size of industries they sampled. For example, the construction industry may be a large one which may have skewed the results.

It's not a secret that there are jobs that Singaporeans shun, e.g. construction, retail and service industries. Employers would have no choice but to get foreigners in.

[dk99]

end of the day, its for your own good.
more foreigner, better future for singapore.
More ERP will reduce road congestion. GST will help the poor.
blah blah blah....

[sigh]

Nothing new what. Wait till the statistics come out about private property purchase of foreigners vs locals (including PR).

[blues]

quite true

just take a walk around nieghborhood, food court, shops etc

quite a big number are foreign talents

then go on bus or mrt, again quite a lot are foreign talents

for some reason, what deem as too little pay to locals or hard work, they can manage

it is only matter of time that they secure many of these jobs and locals have to move up the 'social ladder' and look for something better,which may not be easy

now, many small business owners as in food stall operators etc are c people, and who are their helpers? s people

[roychang]

Then Singaporeans must aim to be migrant workers in other developed countries with even higher cost of living. We can then finally attain the vision for our dotters and wives becoming maids in other countries.

Anyway that vision is still far-fetched. I seriously doubt Singaporeans are losing out in the job market to foreign talent/workers as most of these jobs can't be filled by the indigenous locals.

[Lucien]

It's not a secret that there are jobs that Singaporeans shun, e.g. construction, retail and service industries. Employers would have no choice but to get foreigners in.

Or possibly for stuff like construction, no employer is paying enough for a local to support a family here, don't forget what our cost of living is like compared to some other places. That's all speculation though, and the only way we'd know is if we get hard figures.

If truly we did. Then we deserved to be displaced in the workforce.

Well, it's not that we don't have talented people (in fact some are $o talented... ), but that we don't have enough and of the just right talent. The question shouldn't be do we need foreigners, but why.

[roychang]

Or possibly for stuff like construction, no employer is paying enough for a local to support a family here, don't forget what our cost of living is like compared to some other places. That's all speculation though, and the only way we'd know is if we get hard figures.

Even working with meagre pay here can allow them to build houses and shops back home in India after a short stint in Singapore. See last saturday's ST. We already see more of them taking on higher skilled jobs like engineering to IT work here.