~by: Leong Sze Hian~
I refer to the article “Singapore sees strong employment growth in Q3”(ST. Oct 31). It states that “the unemployment for residents dipped to 2.9 per cent from 3 per cent, and the unemployment rate for citizens is now at 3.0 per cent, down from 3.1 per cent”.
Unlike labour statistics in previous years, for the first time now, we have the unemployment statistics for Singaporeans, instead of being lumped together as locals (citizens and permanent residents (PRs)).
The statistics say that about 87 per cent, or , 53,000 of the 61,300 unemployed residents, were Singaporeans, on a seasonally adjusted basis (see HERE).
Broken-down data from now onwards?
So, the question that may be on everyone’s minds, may be whether the other labour statistics, like total employment, employment growth, redundancy, etc, will also henceforth be broken down into Singaporeans and PRs?
For example, why was the employment level in the subject report, not broken down into Singaporeans and PRs?
After all, the unemployment rate of Singaporeans can only be determined from the broken-down employment level data.
45 per cent Workers non-Singaporeans?
Working backwards from the broken-down unemployment rate now available, I estimate the percentage of non-Singaporean workers to be about 45 per cent (1,757,692 Singaporeans – 2.6 per cent unemployment, 342,371 PRs – 2.5 per cent residents’ unemployment, and 1,191,200 foreigners).
By the way, how many foreigners have been given a visa for up to a year to look for a job in Singapore? Such foreigners are not in the unemployment or employment data? Also, how many foreign interns are there, as they are exempt from the foreign worker quotas, and also may not be in the employment statistics?
From the overall unemployment rate of 1.7 per cent given over the total employment level of 3,191,200, I believe it may be assumed that there is no unemployment amongst foreign workers. This may be on the basis that every foreign worker is either on a work permit or employment pass and thus must be employed.
However, surely, foreigners lose their jobs too, and will compete with Singaporeans to get another job?
Finally, how many project or short-term foreign workers are there, who may not be in the employment statistics?
