We refer to the article “Wage rise, but growth in productivity stalls” (Straits Times, Oct 29).
Jobs: Highest level to Singaporeans?
It states that “The percentage of job vacancies filled by Singaporeans rather than foreigners has reached its highest level since 2011.
Nearly three out of every four positions in the first half of the year went to Singaporeans.”
Can’t tell the difference between S’poreans and PRs?
Just when we thought that this is very good news – when we continued reading the article – it said “The share of new jobs filled by locals shot up to 73 per cent in the first six months of the year – far higher than the 31 per cent in the same period in 2011.”
– So, its not 73% of new jobs went to Singaporeans, but to locals (Singaporeans and permanent residents (PRs)).
Still no breakdown of statistics?
How many of the jobs went to Singaporeans?
Why is it that we continue to have labour statistics without breaking them down into Singaporeans and PRs?
Surely, in a tight labour market – the “Singaporean” job statistics must be “looking very good”.
56,000 jobs – only a third to S’poreans?
According to the report – “Overall employment gains slowed to 56,000 in H1 2014”.
So, it means that about 40,880 jobs (73% of 56,000) went to locals.
But, if the new citizens and PRs granted for the first half of this year, was the same as last year’s – about 50,000 (about 20,000 new citizens and 30,000 new PRs) – does it mean that perhaps as few as about 18,380 of the jobs (40,880 – 22,500 (assuming 90% (90% of 50,000 divided by 2) of new locals are workers) may have gone to “true-blue” Singaporeans?
If this is approximately the case – then maybe about only 33% of the jobs created went to “true-blue” Singaporeans.
30% employment and S-pass?
What is arguably even more alarming is the breakdown of the jobs that went to foreigners.
Looking at the chart – about 30% of the jobs to foreigners went to employment and S-passes.
90% S-pass?
What is perhaps even worse, is that about 90% of the employments passes, were S-pass.
Is it any wonder that the real starting pay of university and polytechnic graduates may have had almost no growth for about 8 years already.
PMETs affected most?
This may contribute to even more “job competition” and wage pressures on Singaporean Professionals, Managers, Engineers and Technicians (PMETs).
In a supposedly tight labour market whereby PMETs may be in greater demand relative to the recent “not so tight” labour market – why is it that we are still giving away so many employment and s-passes?
As recent statistics indicate – the more educated you are – the easier it may be to lose your job – and the harder and longer it may take to get another job.
No need degree lah!
Perhaps that’s why we keep hearing nowadays that we don’t need to have a degree!
S Y Lee and Leong Sze Hian
P.S. Come with your family and friends to the 5th Return Our CPF protest on 29 November 4 pm at Speakers’ Corner
https://www.facebook.com/events/796694730417598/
