Why hide the jobs’ data?

jobs_image

October 27, 2018

Why is there always selective disclosure of the jobs’ data, year after year for so long?

I refer to the article “Retrenchments fall in Q3 as unemployment edges up” (Straits Times, Oct 27).

It states that “But as a whole, the labour market continued to improve, with total employment growth more than doubling in this period, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) yesterday.”

As to “Meanwhile, total employment growth, excluding foreign domestic workers, was 15,200, up from 6,500 in the second quarter” – since the data can be disclosed for including and excluding Foreign Domestic Workers (FDW), and the unemployment data into Singaporeans, PRs and foreigners – there is absolutely no reason why the data cannot be broken down for the employment growth to Singaporeans, PRs and foreigners?

After all, isn’t this arguably, in the public interest, and in line with the online falsehoods’ committee’s recommendation that the Government should give the reasons for decisions not to disclose information to the public, and to gain the trust of the public?

Leong Sze Hian

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About the Author

Leong
Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional  qualifications.