Hi Gilbert,

Thanks for sharing your article.
I too have been sitting on the bench for several months now.
I answered the call to Upgrade my skills.
I even got certified as a project manager.
I am used to being a consultant, more hands-on kind of job.
After taking up the new skill and getting the cert, I could not find a new job.
My main obstacle : looking for a job in a new line of work is tough because the job market basically never look for someone with little or no specific experience.
I even applied for project management jobs with requirements of at least 3 years experience. No replies. Employers can always hire younger but experienced people from around the world. There is little need for someone without direct experience.

Yes, unemployment is terrible. One can feel totally useless and depression can set in, catching you when you are unaware of it.

This is not my first unemployment. During the last economic crisis, I too was on the bench.

Yes, jogging or sports can fight depression. Its proven.

Good luck fellow Singaporeans. Hope none of you need to suffer the same fate as me. But not to worry for me, I am a fighter! I will find myself my ricebowl someday.

yours sincerely

“Retrenchment is good for singapore. If there is no retrenchments, then I worry.”

Hi Can Emphatise:

Ya I know how you feel – the desperation and the depression thoughts come on and off unwarningly.

Did you try to look for PT work? I think it is more readily available than permanent job now. If you don’t mind, work such as telemarketing, tuition, relief teaching (pte or govt schools) should be available.

For relief teaching, you can go to MOE website and there will be a guide on how to register to be a relief teacher. For private schoosl, you can search for the private schools under google/yahoo and there is a strong demand for English language teachers for foreign students. The pay is hourly rated between $30-$50 an hour which is reasonable.

Do drop me an email found under the article if you need more guidance or advice. Take care. Hang in there. We are all here together to fight this crisis!

All the best.

In times like this we must “save on one hairdo and use the money for”…..

For those braving the coming “golden period”…HANG IN THERE & GOOD LUCK!

I was retrenched a couple of years ago just after my son was born. To make matters worse, my wife was not working. It took me an agonising 3 months to land another job. 3 months may seem like a short period of time to be unemployed, but when you have a family to feed, that 3 months feel like 3 years!

“Singaporean workers have become more expensive than those in the USA and Australia.” – Tony Tan

Er…what about politicians???

Yep, this is the kind of article which should be posted at a time like this, not those Tan KL’s bid for presidency and such.

Ok, to give my comments.

Singapore is an Asian country. We practice a free market policy. While economic downturns are inevitable in a capitalist state, it’s bust and boom can be controlled. This does not mean blowing up a bubble and hoping that it’ll stay inflated, but blowing it up and maintain it at a size which is manageable.

Last year, our economic growth was mainly from the construction sector. I had already raised the alarm bells then, at YPAP. I knew that some economic crisis was heading this way. But then, our ministers assured the public that Singapore was relatively shielded from this economic downturn due to the growth of Asian giants China and India. I then decided torest my case as I thought I was still inexperienced.

I’m pretty sure MM Lee said that and as he was the leader who oversaw Singapore’s industrialisation as PM, I trusted him and his words. But now I know better. We were mis-led in such a way that this economic crisis cam even before we expected it.

The technical recession was never expected. We are among the most competitive economies in the world, and yet we are the first Asian country to fall into technical recession. The govenment has to take responsibility for not informing the public about this issue so that we can prepare the cash and everything.

The mini-bonds issue is but a small one. Further setbacks are expected and Tan KL won’t be the one expected to solve them. It’s the PAP government.

I have already said that in the oncoming budget speech, PAP will either make or break. hey will either rally supporters and entice opposition cooperatives or they will further disillusion-ise Singaporeans. The survival of PAP and Singapre is at stake here!

In the oncoming budget dialogue or whatever, the incumbent cannot be afriad of deficits. After all, what are our reserves for? We can well afford to lose a few billions if we can gain twice the amount in the next years to come after we recover.

In the international world, I can see more Keynes-like economies sprouting up, while still maintaining free market ideas. Capitalism will no longer be the rule of the thumb.

PM Lee and George Bush said protectionism will only serve to ruin countries and make recovery slower, and they’re right. There’s no mistake about that. In Singapore’s context, we only need to protect our financial institutions. Regulate them. When the then-PM Goh under the “guidance” of LKY decided to further liberalise our financial markets in the wake of the Asian financial crisis, he played Singapore’s trump card, our one and only. Now, recovery will take a much slower route if left on it’s own.

If we protect our banks and everything, our economy remains strong and viable. If the people stay united, our country remains stable. If the government helps the people, we’ll have social happiness. If the economy recovers, everyone will forget whatever mis-deeds PAP ever made if any and regardless of how many Tan KLs there are, PAP will be given the mandate to rule by me and many others.

There’ll be just the few rowdy politician wannabes who will go to Hong Lim Park protesting actions they themselves did. Or they’ll go about condemning the government for spending too much. Or about human rights again. I expect they’ll be accompanied by old men with nothing to do. And in the next GE, they’ll lose all their election deposit and gain single digit votes. Himself, and his wife. And maybe their children as well, if applicable.

Hahahaha~

Rgds

Can empathise with the situation encountered. I offered to close our biz and received my compensation package. One has to be strong, through planned daily schedule of exercises (to keep fit mentally and physically), network (to keep in contact with working world), ignore those fake friends and stay close to family members. Do not stay at home all day (to nag the kids who are not used to you being around) but make use of the free facilities (ie. library, book stores, club house, etc) around us. Continue to stay positive. With more time, spend time walking to destinations and explore sights which you never have a chance to do so. Despite being positive and strong, I still had that ‘pity myself’ feeling when I was taking a stroll one day. I had to overcome it immediately it by telling myself that those working are not much better, and maybe even more stressed. I found a job within 2 mths from newspapers advertisements.

7) panter92 on November 25th, 2008 9.57 pm
Yep, this is the kind of article which should be posted at a time like this, not those Tan KL’s bid for presidency and such.

Hey panter92! did TKL owed you any money or what that every comment he or any other blogger wrote here, you seems to be tailing him all this while, like his shadow. I’m just curious!

8)ex-banker:-

Thanks for your sharing. What you said is so true but I felt that it is good also to own up to our emotions. There will surely be moments of negative and depressive thoughts.

However, if such thoughts are left lingered in us for too long ,they may later overwhelm us. In fact, some jobless felt powerless and the situation is make worse if one has financial problem.

I agreed with you that it is good to plan ahead even before one is retrenched:

1. What industry do we want to go into next? Can we switch to a new industry? One reason for my prolonged unemployment is the unwillingness to switch line or take up something much lower than my previous pay. That took me a long time to get out of the rut. If I am humble and flexible enough, I think the pain will be shorter.

2. Identfy what skills do we have? This is crucial as if we don’t know what kind of skills we have on hand then it will be tougher for us to identify the right kind of industry to get into. If we lack the skills, we can go for re training as advocated by the govt.

3. How much savings do we have before we press the emergency button? Do we have a back up plan once we are low on savings? This is also important as once we cross the dangerous line we are in deep stress and financial trouble. That will make us feel much worse than ever before. Imagining looking for a job with the stress of unpaid bills and legal letters in our letter box!

As we see more people getting unemployed, let us be a gracious society and provide whatever help we can to our fellow countrymen. Sometimes they don’t need our money but a kind word and patient listening ear sure help a long way.

Hi Gilbert,

Thanks for sharing your article. It gave a real insight into how a person feels when he is unemployed for a long stretch.The main media only published articles which were heavily censored/edited. You can tell when you read those sentences which don’t seems to join logically.

Being unemployed here means no unemployment benefits, no social support to fall back on, nothing to help us to continue to lead a dignified life without asking anyone for help. But worse part is : always not deserving enough a case to be put on their “public assistance program” .

In short, it seems that we are always “falling through the cracks of the network” that the government is fond of saying.

For those of us who are still employed, I believe a lot of us are constantly thinking : everyday you go to work but you never know if the axe will fall on you tommorrow and being replaced by someone who is very much cheaper although not necessarily better, to employ than you.

Fellow citizens who were axed, keep a positive outlook. I believe we can pull through this period of time together; without begging for their “assistance”

tiredsingaporean,

There’s nothing good between me and him. I’m just using him as an example, since he’s been in the headlines for his assistance of the troubled investors which led to his decision to bid for president IF he got the signatures.

haha~

Being retrenched is nothing new to me as I had it countless times. I have a doctorate and to get the low jobs I just said I failed my BA and I failed in my selling job. I worked temporarily as survey interviewer for nearly all the companies in this field and found that all of them are cheats. I was a jaga for quite a few companies, a golf marshal, a gardener etc. All the companies cheated me and I took many of them to MOM and I won nearly all my cases. I will never forget one case and it is SICC and I won a court case in the Labour Court. First time it lost? So, I became a kind of MOM claim artist and one chappie said I should write a book on it. I will. I am now hang of a old, 68 but I am still fit. For now I am a do it yourself volunteer in Indochina and I give my heart to sub-editing and as a journalist at no pay to a newspaper. My colleagues are my buddy-buddies and that is alI I ask for and most important for me. The money to support my food and lodging come from the savings of the low paying jobs and the monetary claims-thanks to my innate talent to read the Employment Act- my bible. So, I keep on fighting and to do good for those who deserve it and they are my buddies. Retrenchment – no fear.

Sunny

panter92!

But you don’t need to go to that extreme even if there is nothing good between you guys here. I may not know him personally but even if he decides to join politics since there are people here who are supportive enough, then lets see how things work out, nobody can really know what may come next, right?

tiredsingaporean,

I am neither slandering him nor using vulgar language right? SO what’s wrong?

[---deleted---]

There was a Chinese ritual saying, called “refusing thrice, accepting fourth”. Something like that. I don’t like people who practice that. It’s either they accept it or not at all. If Tan KL had decided to accept the presidential bid directly and not ask for 100,000 signatures first to ‘test the ground’ I might have retracted whatever I said before and support his bid.

But now.. it’s too late. The move has been made.

Tan KL will have to gain the trust of majority of the people other then the investors and the limited numbers of people here in order to get the signatures. If he attempted to collect the signatures BEFORE the mini-bonds issue blew up, do you think he’ll even get a thousand if the people actually looked at what their signature was intended for?

haha~

Comments edited by moderator.
Panter92, please refrain from making insinuations against anyone. Else, we’ll put you on moderation.

Thank you Gilbert, Can Empathise, ronin, and Sunny for sharing your experiences. I think they will give many Singaporeans hope in these tough times.

If any of you would like to share your experiences more in a stand alone article, please write to us. It will be great if we can have a pool of articles to turn into a regular feature on how to cope with retrenchment and find that next job.

Sunny, would you like to contribute your skills to the TOC team? (the writing and sub-editing, not how to claim from MOM =) ) Although we’d love to have you share your experiences on seeking recourse against unfair employer practices.

Zheng Xi

panter92!
if thats what you said then there is nothing for me to be curious of lo . . .

panter92,

we’d appreciate it if you could keep your comments on topic. if you would like to express your disapproval at Mr Tan, please do so in relevant article comment boxes. It’s not very fair to our writers to have their comments space cluttered with irrelevant material.

Zheng Xi

just want to share with all of you that these days, if one find the MRT crammed during morning when going to work, count our blessing for we are still working.

Zheng Xi and tiredsingaporean,

I’m just using Tan KL as an example as I said in my above post before it was moderated. haha~

Ok then, back to topic.

In these times of economic downturns with people being retrenched, et cetera, the government must play an active role. They cannot sit back and issue policies or solutions. These ideas must be explained to the people. Not through the middlemen, but directly through the mass media.

In such times, what the people require are inspiration and hope. Not false ones though.

After all, “The ultimate measure of man is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”. A saying by Confucius or King. Can’t remember.

Adversities make us stronger. Experience is gained. Lessons are learned. We can utilise these instruments to work for a better tomorrow. It’s just a point, what insinuations?

Ok?

The only guy who I personally know who has successfully gone through one end and out of other side is Darkness. Darkness is much older than all of us. He’s like a lauchiau, he’s seen a lot of stuff.

He was retrenched once and he wrote about going through that abyss of self doubt – he described it as a “mind game.” I have linked it – I once asked Darkness whether he came out stronger and better as a result of it.

He smiled wryly and said to all of us that the only people who regularly pump out those sort of nonsense are usually people who have copper clad jobs themselves. I remember we all laughed. Darkness has a way of making light of heavy situations. It was a passing conversation during a cycling session, we all laughed; then he fell silent and turned inwards as if he was reflecting on some distant pain and he went on to tell us all in a very serious tone suffering is tautological and the only thing pain teaches is everyone can be hurt. There is no such thing as a baptism of fire or pain being some mythical teacher – its no good – pain is pain (period), and. Suffering doesn’t make anyone wiser or stronger and if someone drops a hammer on your big toe; you have every right to hop around like a red Indian with his pants on fire – and if you don’t, you’re just not human.

I personally found it a very honest sharing on unemployment.

I found out yesterday, I will be losing my job one week before Christmas.

I want to go to Russia and start a business. I am all ready – I am good to go.

Its everyman for himself. I know that sounds rotten, but there isnt much goodwill these days to go around. I am sorry, this is as good as it will ever get.

http://aaron-ng.info/blog/perceived-lack-of-linguistic-ability.html#comment-16498

Gilbert

You know something? When your letter came out in the newspapers, I immediately cut if out, got it enlarged to A3 size and put it on display at my office pantry! After that, tea breaks become a little longer because everyone stopped by and have a read. It was that powerful, definitely much better than wasting money on some “Who Moved My Cheese” or “FISH” workshop, I’d say that. This economic Katrina we’re entering is gonna slam us so hard, it makes 1997 and 2003 feel like catching breeze in the wind. Your letter is timely indeed!

let’s not get personal and hit on anyone. Focus on actions, focus on words spoke, focus on policies.

If anything, I will take Mr Tan anytime over MM Lee or PM Lee. At least he shows that he is still fighting for these people’s rights regardless of whatever ulterior motives he has. Imagine MM Lee doing that?

I have yet to experience unemployment for the simple fact that I have yet to entered the working world proper. My sympathies go out to all those affected, and I do hope they will find a job soon.

Our government has a duty to ensure that its CITIZENS’ welfare comes first, even at the cost of foreigners or whatever foreign talent. They should never be on par. Let’s not allow foreigners to depress our locals’ wages, but setting a minimum wage limit for Singaporeans and setting up laws that limit the limited “foreign talent” from coming in. I am open to foreigners who are truly capable and experienced in whatever field they are in, because they contribute significantly indeed to our economy. I draw the line, however, at foreigners who are equally or actually less qualified than our locals and take lower wages, thereby distorting our labour market and dragging down our locals in it. When our economy suffers, they are and should be the first to leave. However, what about our locals? Can they leave? No, they are left to pick up the whatever remnants of our economy.

all the best everyone.

Dear panther92

Your statement “Yep, this is the kind of article which should be posted at a time like this, not those Tan KL’s bid for presidency and such” is truly disappointing.

It is precisely at times like this that we need somebody strong to stand up, give directions and lead us

Your statement speak very much of typical Singaporean who is negative and only good at complaining at kopitiams

Your other statement “Tan KL will have to gain the trust of majority of the people other then the investors and the limited numbers of people here in order to get the signatures. If he attempted to collect the signatures BEFORE the mini-bonds issue blew up, do you think he’ll even get a thousand if the people actually looked at what their signature was intended for?” is also flawed

TKL is no stranger to most Singaporeans. TKL has led NTUC Income for almost 30 years, and has turned into the highest rated insurer in Asia, including Japan. NTUC Income is a household name where most pple can trust. TKL has already enjoyed a certain level of trust, repute and credibility, with or without the mini-bond saga

Your statement is a small-man thinking

Dear Gilbert

I have not encountered such experience before, nevertheless i wish to add if any company were to retrench the staff, that company most probably sucks anyway. It’s just a job. There’s a whole life out there

Mao/Sunny/Singaporedaddy/253SA/JRT/Tiredsingaporean/Panter92

Hi thanks for your comments on the article especially 253SA – you make my morning! I am touched to tears here.

Someone actually wrote on the ST forum commentaries the first time that it was published that she printed out the article and read it to her class of adult learners. That make my day too!

Maomao – thanks for your comments and ecnouraging words to all who are jobless here in Singapore. I have always advocated for unemployment benefit but have not the chance to bring it to the relevant authorities. ST forum didnt print one of my many letters on this topic.

Sugardaddy – my utmost heartfelt outpouring of empathy to you that you are going to be retrenched one week before Christmas but I realised that you have prepared yourself all along so it was very good. You have an exit plan so call. But why Russia? Kind of far and distant. But nevertheless very good indeed. Many who are retrenched went on to do great things and things that they have all along wanted to do but couldn’t because of the pay that the crappy job provides. So it is a new refreshing journey for you from now on. Go do something exciting and wonderful! There is life after retrenchment!

I am encouraged by Sunny too who to me must be a very positive person. Many people who are retrenched frequently are those that have high qualifications and are evry capable. Maybe they have turned too expensive to hire or the boss find that worker too threatening! I have heard bosses starting to fire capable junior staff for fear that they will take over their job some day. How sad can it get?

As more unemployment will reins it’s ugly head by next year, we must go all out to ensure that the unemployed will get the best possible help they can get.

Singapore can only survive if we stay strong together and help each other when we are down and out.

Gilbert Goh (#26),

What a timely article for our fellow citizens in need. Unemployment is set to rise in the next 2-3 years. With retrenchment in the background, citizens must be empowered with courage and the necessary knowledge to tide through hard times. Practical know-how is also important.

Employees who worry about retrenchment may take pro-active approach in mitigating retrenchment risk by discussing manpower and financial needs with senior management.

MTI has introduced the new loan scheme Bridging Loan Programme (BLP) to help firms meet their working capital needs during this current tightening of credit conditions. All local nterprises with more than 10 employees can access credit of up to S$500,000 under this scheme. The default risk will be shared equally by the government and the financial institutions.

Small businesses with no more than 10 employees have access to
SPRING’s Micro Loan Programme, which will be further enhanced to
provide unsecured working loans of up to S$100,000, up from the previous limit of S$50,000. The government will increase the proportion of risk sharing to 80% to ensure that participating financial institutions (PFIs) continue to lend to small businesses.

To ensure that SMEs can continue to access loans through the existing Local Enterprise Financing Scheme (LEFS) for the purchase of equipment, machinery and other assets, government will also increase its sharing of the loan defaults from the current 50% to 80% to alleviate the risk taken by PFIs.

Your [Panter92] statement speak very much of typical Singaporean who is negative and only good at complaining at kopitiams – JRT (#25)

Well said, JRT!

Panter92 (#8),

As soon as you have experienced national service and working life, I am certain your tone and perspective will change to go in line what many have echoed here in the TOC commentary thread.

There is no point in saying that in 2007,you expected some economic crisis to come and then claim that you had never expected technical recession to take place in 2008. With regards to further setbacks expected in the pipeline, of course will expect the PAP to solve them because the PAP is still the government of the day. If TKL is the government of the day, who will not expect TKL to solve these problems?

The magnitude of the global financial crisis is unprecedented. Singapore is the first competitive economy to enter recession because of our huge/excessive exposure to the global markets. Manufacturing and financial services account for 26% and 22% of our GDP in 2000 and these figures are expected to grow substantially between 2001 and 2007 due to global economic boom.

Obviously, the survival of Singapore is at stake. The survival of PAP is secondary. Does the PAP government have any 5-year plan or 10-year plan for Singapore? If the PAP government indeed has this plan, why is it not communicated to citizens? How can citizens take heed and participate if we weren’t informed in the first place? There is no master-plan at all, and that’s why we need new leaders to stand up. After all, it is often the circumstances that create heroes rather than heroes create circumstances.

TOC, Gilbert

You sure Gilbert got copywrite. I read that ST has copyright on its Forum letters.

Though it would be a PR balls-up if SPH sued you people.

Gilbert, TOC

What abt something similiar for the toxic notes investors?

Focusing on how to console, handle investors in the family (parents, spouse or siblings).

One gp that needs EQ help are the retired “sophisticated” investors. Their plight is two-fold. They lost serious money but are tot by many to “deserve it” as they didn’t read the prospectus

Singapore Resident #4….

I know where that came from …hahahaha!

I hate it man when they said htat…

Hi alls,

I count myself lucky to have never been retrenched before. But then again, I have been self-employed most of my working life. And yes, back in the early days when I left my first and last full time job in 2003, I was ever down to $5 in my bank account. Though I was staying with my parents, and during that period they didn’t expect to take a single cent from me, it was still a not-so-good period. Can’t imagine how I would take it if I were in Gilbert’s shoes.

I’ll never forget my ex-boss’s words to me though, when I broached the idea of quitting. (of course in the creative/media business, freelancing is a much more possible option compared to many other jobs) My boss said, “THE AGE OF THE IRON RICE BOWL IS NO MORE” To put it in context, it was during the 2001-02 recession, and where the company had axed 10% of staff and everyone took a pay cut.

As the nature of my industry is vastly different from the corporate world, I cannot claim to have any good advice. But I think it’s always important to keep my ex-boss’s words in mind. The funny thing is, even though everyone knows that in a capitalistic economy, you are bound to have a recession every 3 -5 years, everyone acts as if the fact doesn’t exist. Like the proverbial ostrich in the sand. I’ve seen so many people in my age-group (30s) in the corporate world spending on good days like there’s no tomorrow. Then next day they get axed and they really wished there’s no tomorrow. That is not to say I don’t sympathize with the bread-winners who depend on their jobs to feed their family.

Like it or not, there isn’t such a thing as job stability. Even in my business, the prospect of having no projects coming in is always a reality i had to deal with for the past many years.

But it’s counter-productive to be living in fear all the time. I will grow old very quickly if I have to think long term all the time – I usually work to ensure the next three months is secure, and in my free time expand my network because I can’t always depend on the same clients. Even my most regular clients don’t owe me a living.

Anyway. My point is, not sure how relevant it is to people who holds fulltime jobs, but not to ignore retrenchment as a possibility. I think when you live like you might be retrenched tomorrow, you will live very differently. You will only buy what your can currently afford. You will not want to live in credit. You will learn to see that many things you think are very important to own, aren’t that important. You will also see that it is wiser not to depend too much on your job security, and do something about it.

My dad is always proud of the fact that when he was around 40, he started preparing for his next jobs upon retirement. (He was from the army and back in the 90s, the retirement age was 50). In his free time, he went out to get license to drive all sorts of vehicles. When he was finally retired, he didn’t find himself at a loss. Because he holds so many licenses, he could go from being a crane operator to a bus driver, to a taxi driver until he finally settles for being a dispatch driver. It doesn’t pay as much as his previous job, but it paid the bills until we all could start working.

On my side too, I took on many different portfolios when I could; the diversity helps. When there’s no demand for directors, I took on writing projects. And so on.

I have to say that I don’t have as much burdens as many of you here have; just sharing a philosophy that might help. It might be easier said than done because after a long working day, the last thing anyone wants to do is to make plans. Sometimes (I hope no employers here because they will kill me for saying this), it might not be so wise to be working your ass off for your employers. Your employers may not want to axe you, but to your CEO, you’re just another digit. Work less, work smart, and start something on the side. If your wife wants to be a baker support her. You may find yourself eventually becoming the next owner of a bakery chain after you get retrenched. Then you will see that the retrenchment could be the best thing that happens to you. (And admit it – most of you hate your current jobs)

Lastly i hope no one here who is currently retrenched is offended. We can’t avoid retrenchments. My point is that we tend to delegate our survival to our companies. When you empower yourself to see that only you owe yourself a living, it may be better off in the long run. Cheers

A Tan

One gp that needs EQ help are the retired “sophisticated” investors. Their plight is two-fold. They lost serious money but are tot by many to “deserve it” as they didn’t read the prospectus

I’m afraid there’s nothing much we can do to help these folks, except offering a shoulder for them to cry on. :(

There is no need to be unemployed for months if you are able-bodied.

I applied for taxi license when I was employed during the good time knowing that I will need this one day. I paid the $15 license fee for many years.

When the axe finally falls on me. I immediately signed up as full-time cab driver and look for work at the same time. It is not easy as I was 43 years old.

Driving a cab is tough but at least it will bring in the much needed cash flow to keep the family of 6 going.

If more unEmployed are encouraged to register a biz,
does their unemployment status become self-employed? I think so.
So, does this method effectively remove him from unemployment statistics? I think so. if you have a registered biz, say to buy a minvan, but not much or no business or no business activity, then , are you still considered self-employed? I think so.

Likewise, when unemployed goes back to school.

But what is the real problem?
Is the problem still there?

How is unemployment rate measured? based on citizen alone? is there a statistic on citizens unemployment rate specifically?

just sharing my thoughts on unemployment.

I had the same experience. However, I was able to get a temp or contract work pretty fast while waiting for a perm job. Well, it all boils down to how high is your salary & position. Isn’t it? If you happen to be an executive director in your previous firm, just see how interviewer will view you if you apply for a job. If you were that capable to climb up to this position, you would have been headhunted by another company & not get retrenched.

hi panter92,

I just think you are messing up this thread. The way I see it no one really cares very much about TLK, not here at least. And another thing no one in his right frame of mind is just going to give him 100,000 unconditional votes based on a hope and a prayer. That kinda of thing doesnt even happen in the USA. So you’re got to be kidding me. So please try to quiet down. I really believe the webmaster should rein panter92 or at least reason with him.

Gilbert,

Thks great article and I guess you hit all the buttons, thats why it seems to be drawing out the dear john crowd. Great stuff and I am going to print it out to give it to few of buddies who are in the lurch.

Singaporedaddy.

Just want to say that I had the opportunity to met darkness personally. And he was certainly a very inspirational figure. very soft spoken, charming and good with the ladies as I remembered it. Eyes like a falcon. Infact, if I am not mistaken 9 out of 10 people who attended the tea party were actually female. Kinda of strange if you ask me. care to share why?

Sorry to hear about your job. That must be a bummer. Just wondering. Whats the whole low down on Russia? This isnt the first time you brought it up. I keep running across post where you keep saying, I want to go to russia. I am good to go. I just need one tank of gas and off, I am gone.

Just want to know why not china or the US, why russia? Isnt it a dangerous place? How are the laws there? Is it even safe or secure to do business there?

thx

hang in there guys!

Hi lecturer, darkness, Gilbert… singadaddy… would really love to know you guys personally. How shall we start? :)

Hahahaha~

You guys only pick out the bad examples. I gave lots of comments about the retrenchment issue and the government’s actions didn’t I? Read my posts properly.

I already said I’ll say nothing about Tan KL any longer, I agree that this isn’t the right place.

~sigh~

Will you be so kind as to do the decent thing and stop panter92 from commenting any further in this site? Everything was fine here until he came along.

39)Zefly:

Haha what do you mean? Meeting up in person or?

[...] the universe and everything – TOC: Coping with joblessness: A personal account – Military Life: Youtube your way through the Singapore Armed Forces – The fire in my life: [...]

37)lecturer

Hi thanks for your support. Keep on doing good!

Gilbert et al

Mind me asking your respective ages? I ask this because somehow in this country we live in, you become a corporate persona non grata once you hit 40. I don’t quite dig it. It’s always folks in this age category who gets the big envelope. I’ve seen it in 1997, 2003 and now in 2008.

Is being an experienced working person such a dirty thing to employers, current and prospective?

And I’m asking this because I’m just 2 years short of this corporate twilight age.

Can the gov revert the GST from 7% to 5% to help the citizen cope with inflation.

For your information, the UK has reduced VAT from 17.5 to 15%. The first in their history.

“It’s great to see Governments can act quickly when they want to. The UK Chancellor has just announced that VAT will be cut from 17.5% to 15% effective from 1 December 2008 as an early Christmas present for consumers in the United Kingdom.

The main component is the well-trailed cut in VAT from 17.5 per cent to 15 per cent from Monday, which will expire in 2010. It is the first time that standard VAT has been cut across the board since it was introduced in 1973.

To support this change, we’ll be adding support for 15% VAT from 1 December 2008. To make the change smoother for users, we will leave the existing default tax rates and allow users to manually choose the 15% rate.”

From http://blog.xero.com/

47)253SA

Yes i have hit the oldish 40’s…

It could be a factor I don’t know. What do the rest think?

daniel

sorry oh we are in singapore, a nation built on meritocracy, not socialism or welfarism. The priority is to top up the nation coffer to make up the billions losses from citigroup/merill/UBS investment. reduce GST? u gonna be joking. According to MOF master plan, GST will increase gradually over the next decade to match that with the western counterpart, while reducing personal & corporate income tax to povide some rebate

hitachi08 ,
You are right. Whereas the UK’s christmas present is reduction of VAT, our christmas present is the unprecedented loss of billions of taxmoney and reserve over bad moronic investments, and increase of 22% hike of electricity, and more bailout of future crazy investment like casino. Such a “wonderful memorable Christmas” that the citizen ought to be “grateful”, and repaid the unprecedented “Christmas present” to our gov when the time comes.

“sorry oh we are in singapore, a nation built on meritocracy, not socialism or welfarism.”

No, no… have to be more specific, and speaking from observation,
the following remark applies to those high position like ministar, GLC, TH senior
“we are in singapore, a gov whose elite position is built on socialism or welfarism, not meritocracy”. (eg Losing billions and millions but yet able to stay on with elephant skin, if this are not welfarism and socialism, what is it ? Charity ?)

as for the rest of money-generator or digits for the gov, at least the original statement apply
“sorry oh we are in singapore, a nation built on meritocracy, not socialism or welfarism.”

“you become a corporate persona non grata once you hit 40. ”
Well, 40 means youth no more, risk no more, health no more, sex no more (oppss), money no more, baby no more, or worse, job no more etc.

As in chinese saying,
“30 is a insect, 40 is a dragon”, well I’m sure it refers to DRAGONFLY not the Chinese Dragon.

44)Daniel:

I doubt the govt will reduce GST as all along they have advocated that GST will replace our income tax.

GST is a big income earner for the govt’s coffers and will be tough for them if they reduce it. That will mean a huge reduction in income available for welfare programmes.

Britain did the right thing in reducing GST as 17.5% is like sky high.

As many have said that GST is a regressive tax and I agreed. It hurts the pockets of the poor and middle income more. I can’t imagine how the govt will reduce GTS for now.

I will be pleasantly surprised if they reduce GST at all. I am only afraid that it will go up some more but maybe not this year or next.

Gilbert Goh,
Indeed it is not only a money-spinner, it also a excellent perception creator. It makes Singapore looks good financially and in number quicker than other countries. One major reason for GDP growth is actually the GST aside from high influx of capital and foreigners here. So after election, the gov will DEFINITELY increase the GST again to make Singapore the fastest growing economy of Asia and the world again, which give more reason to increase their own salary again. GST not only tax consumer, it may also tax the supplier multitudes of time in supply chain. It is indeed repressive as you have mentioned. So next time, when those clowns ask for salary increment, ask them how much GST contribute to the very same GDP which the clown’s salary pegged against.
So do not be deceived and proud by the so-called high economic growth again which is done at the expense of the citizen.

Good afternoon lecturer # 36

Re: Darkness. Lecturer, you probably stumbled on one of their regular read club meetings; frankly speaking it’s a skin crawling affair; what many people don’t seem to realize is Darkness also writes sappy love stories that he sells it in the internet; he seems to have a quite a big following especially in Hong Kong around 30k to 40k. So from time to time, the sci-fi part and the love story part just mashes together and creates a whole lot of confusion.

Re: Russia. I used to be the go between i.e brotherhood rep for the mercantile space guild for the mineral rich planet of Sardonyx. For some strange reason, the vast majority of gamers in that sector seem to be only Russians; it’s a mining economy; they mine stuff and they sell it in ebay. My job there was to advise on production; so if the price goes down; I recommend a hold; if it goes up; I ram up production.

One thing about being a liaison officer is it’s a bit like being a regular in a drink hole; once everyone gets to know you; a relationship forms. So I got to know many Russians personally; eventually they come here or you go over there and we met up and things just takes off from there – the way I figure; China is already top heavy and saturated and as the economic crisis cuts deeper into the marrow; the competition there is going to ratchet up with the hongkies and the Taiwanese undercutting price / profit further; I don’t see any future there unless you want to swim in ever decreasing circles – its no good.

The way I see Russia is no one really wants to go there, unless they have too, as law and order is an issue and most people only think about the mafia whenever the topic of business crops up; but what most people don’t realize is Russia is an oil and gas producer; and that means they have money, loads of it.

The thing about Russia is it’s too big a country to generalize; I mean if you go to places like Moscow or St.Peterburg; then agreed, business opportunities is practically zero unless you have billions like Temasek; but if one is prepared to travel inland to the Caucasus and beyond; there is really a whole lot of opportunity especially in the import and export sector; Russia is good, its the new frontier.

There’s where I’ve stake my flag and hopefully make a meal out of it. The way I see it, I’ve got nothing to lose.

SD (Internet Liaison officer of the brotherhood)

singaporedaddy,
wish you success and do enjoy your stay in Russia.
Good luck

Sugardaddy:

Havent being to Russia yet. Must be a cold and beautiful country.

If you have the connection and the aspiration go for it.

The time now is to set the sail flagging elsewhere especially in such difficult time. It will be tough to get any regular job going and even if you get one, the pay may be miserable as employers will take the opportunity to slash salary.

Take care and don’t forget us in TOC if you have make your millions in Russian oil!

Before you head off to Russia, here’s a famous line used by Ronald Reagan when he was dealing with the Soviets during the peak of Cold War :

“Trust. But verify”

After all these years, these immortal words couldn’t be more true.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsCMJeov5IA

Dont sweat the small stuff – apart from minor problems like the above, everything else is well under control – I dont expect any problems.

Only if I return back to sg by cargo plane, just tell my parents that I want my ashes to be strewn in bedok jetty.

Thanks all

SD (Internet liaison officer of the brotherhood)

For your information, the UK has reduced VAT from 17.5 to 15%. The first in their history. – Daniel (#44)

I am based in the UK at the moment. The best thing is that many retail shops here did not raise their pre-VAT prices to offset the reduction in VAT. There is common decency such that nobody is profiteering from the drop in VAT.

Hi All,

Some of you have emailed me and I tried my best to help.

I guess the more urgent appeal here is for some form of financial aid and job referral.

For those who need some form of urgent emergency funds, Faith Community Baptist Church has collected about $250,000 as their Love Fund collection to be dispensed to those who are needy and down. Do email me at goh_gilbert@yahoo.com if you need more information on these funds. For your info, CDCs and other self-help groups such as CDAC, Mendaki and SINDA will provide some form of assistance provided you meet certain requirement.

Family service centres (FSC) such as Rotary FSC do have some form of financial assistance plus counselling support as the FSC is supported by the wealth Rotary Club. other FSCs may have some form of financial assistance but limited in form.

I have some job referral for those who are out of work. Of course, there is no guarantee as suitability and ability to do the job are basic requirement. Do email me if you need them.

For the really down and out, if you need meals, there are several lodges and templs that provide free meals without any questions asked on a daily basis.

If you do need shelter on a temporary basis you can email me too. I see if some shelters are available but frankly these are more for battered wives and their children. Men have real difficulty getting any form of free shelter in our country.

Hope this help some of you here. Remember never give up on yourself and we are in this together. There is life after retrenchment. I knew it as I have been there before.

thanks Gilbert. I am very happy to see that such active citzenry is still alive and well.. and a little ashamed I haven’t done much to contribute.

Referring to previous entry.. yes, would be a good idea to hook up with you guys like patriot and singaporedaddy etc.

59) Zefly:

Hi I don’t mind meeting up with you guys but I am now in Sydney. I should be back home on 20 Dec. If you dont mind, we can still meet up next month if possible.

Thanks.

58) Gilbert Goh

You’re the best. Hats off, you’re the best – and I mean it from the bottom of my heart- the gold standard – this is what I mean by no BS, rubber met the road solutions, that will really go a long way to cut the pain for some who may be suffering in such times.

You know what I am meeting up with the ASDF (ruling council of the brotherhood / vollariane and gang) this saturday for a spot of cycling – and I am going to propose to them to set up a food stall. Because we have sinking fund that did quiet well actually despite this crisis, where ANYONE can come and eat – and it will operate on a honor system, thats to say, you can put in ANY amount you want in box (no questions asked) – you know the brotherhood gets anon donations from all sorts of folk and I am going to recommend that they get some of darkness recipes and ram up on more internet donations / we happen to have the largest stockpiles of sardonyx crystals (this is like our reserves) which are used to power spaceships and I going to recommend that some of this will be released by the mercantile guild to the international market to fund this free food program – it would probably be chap fun style or something like that.

That’s what I will do for Gilbert. You’ve shown us all the way bro. Way to go. That’s what I call real leadership. Thx toc for hosting this. This goes right down to where it really matters – the heart.

This will go a long way to bring a glimmer of light to many this xmas

SD (Internet Liaison officer of the brotherhood)

Hi Gilbert,

Thanks for sharing your experience with the public. I have also been retrenched recently. I am not too bothered by the retrenchment as I can understand from the company standpoint that this, perhaps, is the only way to save the company. I am also not too bothered by the retrenchment as many of my colleagues, who are star performers, were also retrenched. Hence, I didn’t feel so lonely or outcast.

In general, I am not too bothered by being “out of job” but rather, the way it was “executed” by my company. They have done it to me in a cruel and humilating way, in that I probably won’t be able to hold my head up high in front of my colleagues in the future when I see them outside. What DBS has done is nothing compared to what I have personally gone through.

I want to be clear is that I am not a poor perfomer. I have been appraised as “exceed expectations” for the past 2 years.

Do you know of any free legal consulation who can advise on my rights?

I apologise if this is “out of topic” but you seem rather helpful and understanding….so perhaps you may have some tips for me?

Singaporedaddy:-

Hi you are making me embarassed as I am merely doing what I can.

The assistance rendered is within my disposal and with the email/internet system now so vibrant, things can get done by the push of some keyboards.

In fact, TOC can do more and readers here can contribute what they can – job referrals, food parcels, NTUC coupons, bill payment, etc to the TOC office. Yes it is tedious and sometimes logistically overwhelming, but the impact it creates on the population will be very positive and stirring. Tough times need some tough people to do tough things.

Some I know will go out of cash and struggle with daily expenses. I used to eat bread for many days when I seriously ran out of cash on some bad days during that dark period. So I know the feeling of not having cash on hand to buy food. Nevertheless, behind the back of my mind, I knew that these bad days will not last forever as my spirit is still intact. Though my body may be weakened my spirit stayed strong nonetheless.

Some will also have no power in their homes as they struggled with SP bills. After three months of complete non-payment, SP will first cut the power then slowly the water (limited to a trickle). I have personally witnessed this in many of our beautiful HDB homes when I worked as a social worker in Woodlands area. It is not a sight for the weak hearted.

I hope as this crisis overtakes us, our people will stay strong and also help those who are weak and in need. Our govt I feel did not really reach down to the level of be able to help everyone. Sometimes, the citizens have to do their part in cultivating a helpful culture so that we are an inclusive society.

I like your idea of setting up a food stall for the poor if possible. They can go there if they need some free food or it can be heavily subsidised. Temples do give free food but some are located far away. Thanks and I hope that you are inspired to do more for the poor and needy in this tough time.

Fairplay:-

Frankly based on what you said I did not see how the retrenchment was carried out unethically. I may need more details and if you don’t mind you can email me at goh_gilbert@yahoo.com. I am no legal guru here but i can share some of my viewpoints with you.

Retrenchment always affects the self worth of a person however nicely it is carried out by the bosses.As you were retrenched together with other staff instead of being singled out, I guess the pain is lessened somewhat.

The key thing here is to realise that it is not because of your performance that you were retrenched but that it was a business decision. Unless your bosses have told you otherwise, I feel that you should move on with your life.

Start to plan ahead what you want to do with the next phase of your life. If you dwelled too much on getting back at your company, it may be difficult to carry on smoothly later on. Of course, if there are issues that plagued you which I don’t know here, you can email me as mentioned. I see how I can help you to move on here.

You can go to this fantastic website for job seekers – http://www.jobhuntersbible.com. There are some fantastic articles and materials for the job seekers. Go check it out.

Take care and all the best. Email me so I can help you further.

As being in the same shoe and being jobless is what an embarrassment a man will face in his family after the unemployment becomes from days to weeks to months. Socially, relatives and friends will avoid and its very natural that someone at this stage will look forward to help.

However, with the upgrading programmes around the worst thing is that employement is still a problem to those 40 years and above. Companies are looking for someone accepting low pay and more jobs for their cost savings.

Anyway, some of the problem that I have solve during my housing issue was with the hope programme that was very helpful with a $ 50K C.P.F top-up for my wife undergoing a ligation.

Still jobless after upgraded myself in Dip, in logistics management and advance diploma in supply chain management. Northwest CDC assisted with more courses like certified service professional, and basic security and supervisor and still finding a job is a problem.

Anyway, upgrading is good but how far is that going to help I don’t know.

To many out there accept what is offered and continue looking for better jobs when it comes. Sometimes its better half a loaf a bread than none.

Its also very worrying even with job now. I took up a couple of credit facilities, knowing them through all the huge advertisements. Now I find that its a trap. A trap that wraps around you paying countless interests.
Be prudent, especially when times like this. Gentle reminder. Dont drink and punt like theres no tommorrow.

hi Gilbert, thanks for sharing something as personal as this. I’m sure many have been blessed by your sharing, tips, optimism and all. Keep up what you are doing.

Like you, I’m in my 40s, a father of 2 young girls, and I also run in the SC marathon annually.

For a period of a few months in 2005, I was jobless. Looking for a job in middle age wasn’t exactly plain-sailing. To make things worse, I’m deaf.

I found myself doing alot of soul-searching during that time. I was already a volunteer with a VWO before this unemployment came along. When I subsequently found a job, it only strengthened my resolve to do more for the underprivileged. It was then that I resigned to join a VWO fulltime and I’ve never looked back since.

Though I’m still drawing significantly less than what I used to draw in 2005, my life has been more fruitful in many ways and I’m thankful for that. I was able to do more volunteer work and organise a couple of major campaigns in the last few years to help the deaf deal with employment and education issues. At the same time, I could spend more time with my family and friends. I’ve become a listening ear (an irony, considering my deafness) to my friends, siblings and loved ones. While my more “successful” cousins and siblings are busy with work and life, I’m the only free guy with a listening ear and shoulder to cry on. Although I don’t have much money to offer to persons in need, I often find myself helping to link them up with job opportunities, sources of help and funding, etc.

To those who have been adversely affected by the financial and economic crises, I know it’s not easy and you are in my prayers. If you do need some practical help other than those Gilbert has suggested, we can try to arrange for you to contact me. Not sure if TOC would allow me to post my email here

Hi logicalman,

We’ve provided a special section on TOC for everyone to share their views on the recession and unemployment. Please see “Beating The Recession – Together” on the left hand panel of this website.

Alternatively, drop us an email at theonlinecitizen@gmail.com .

Thanks.

Andrew Loh

logicalman,

I’ve just dropped you an email.. :)

Andrew

Hi Friends;

tonight I am likely going to hit a hornets’ nest. But, think carefully and deeply before putting that venom into me.

I am going to go against convention to say the followings:

The World is crazy and vicious because there are too many educated rascals, these rascals gave lots and lots of misinformations. They manipulate, exploit and bully the weaks, put tons of misleading and inaccurate shit statistics, made and make stupid forecasts like soothsayers and clairvoyants. And the worst amongst them, leaders that misled(lead) their subjects. These people deserve no pity, no help and no support, the World will be cured of malices when they are decimated.

Now, to the kind and innocent; be circumspect and correct when being helpful.
Give helps directly to those that need them, not through a second party, ensure that YOU DO NOT PERPETUATE ANOTHER VICIOUS CYCLE WITH YOUR CHARITIES.
For decades, I have been calling Singaporeans not to donate to Charity Organizations, not that I suspect the charity organizations will embezzle the donations or misuse the donated funds, though it happened. My rationale is that the welfares and wellbeings of the people and the state are the PRIMARY DUTY of any regime anywhere. When the people take upon themselves to do the duties of the Rulers, they(people) upset the arrangement of governances.

We have got citizens volunteering themselves to patrol their estates because of rising theft, molestation and other crimes, here again the people are making enforcement and prevention of crimes their own duties. What are our Authorities for? What are enforcement officers paid to do?

Citizens must bear in mind not to be too kind and loving like a spoiling mother, YOU ARE LIKELY TO SPOIL YOUR CHILD(REN). We have spoilt our leaders, too many people have taken upon themselves to do their(leaders) duties.

Help, help, help by all means, but also know your helpings do not get yourself and others into a vicious cycle that get more vicious. Do not turn ourselves into frogs swimming in boiling pot. Always bear in mind there are always people ever ready to exploit, to pounce on any opportunity to manipulate on the weaknesses of others. Also remember that not everyone in trouble naturally deserve sympathy, some need reprimand and punishment.

Why do a First World(Singapore) Countrys’ Citizens in doldrum now? Because we have mismanaged ourselves by allowing others to manipulate and exploit us to no end without knowing, how else do we call ourselves sheeples?

Lest there are people who think I am selfish, let me say that I am a simple folk with no ambition, unentreprising, lowly educated and is a typical ‘ah Q’, in Hong Kong they called ‘ah Qzan’ and the English say ‘Forest Gump’. Worked as menial worker most of the time, construction labourer, lorry and bus driver, road sweeper, security guard, retail salesman and loafing in between jobs. What’s my point here? Do any work to survive! Is it so easy? No !!! But, when it comes to survival, do your best.

Like many said here, one must have good relationships with kins, friends, co-workers, superiors and subordinates, they will come and help and likewise You must help them. In this way, You can collectively overcome your personal problems and the problems of the others. Yes, there are of course still people who needed to be help, I will repeat here, help them personally and directly, NOT THROUGH A SECOND OR WORSE THIRD PARTY. There is no need for anyone to purposely look for people to help because if You help those You around, You have fulfilled certain duty and You can’t be helping the whole World. We have to let others, especially our Rulers, to do their FUNDAMENTAL/PRIMARY DUTY.

Nevertheless, I must say to Gilbert Goh; I must accord You the greatest respect for your article will sooth and encourage many in despair and your helps will definitely be appreciated.

patriot

To Zefly(aka Joshua Chiang);

redbean and I meeting up for coffee, can we invite You?

Please forward your reply to redbean(Blogger of My Singapore News) at redbeansg@yahoo.com.

Hope to see You in our next meet.

patriot

Hi N Veerasamy,

Hi I know your sentiments about upgrading as it is as if after you get the cert what next?

The govt has being encouraging all kinds of upgrading courses but like you, I am sceptical about one getting employment after that.

I guess the important thing is whether one knows where the vacancies are in the job market before embarking on any upgrading courses. Of course, sometimes this is easier say than done.

The social service sector always has quite alot of vacancies due to it’s relatively low pay and hectic work pace due to it’s stressful job nature. If you don’t mind, let me know if you are keen so I can assist you further here. The job however does need one to be passionate about it as it involves alot of heart rather than the mind. But the job satisfaction is immense and that is what money can’t buy.

Some VWOs (voluntary welfare organisation) do not mind employing someone but lacking the certification. I was a social work asst working in a FSC (family service centre)and I studied PT and worked while I get my diploma in counselling. Do email me at goh_gilbert@yahoo.com if you need further info on this. I see how I can link you up with some welfare centres for possible employment. This of course depends alot with the person interviewing you.

The teaching profession also needs alot of PT teachers for the private school market. I did quite alot of teaching on English to foreign students in private schools the past year. I even taught in China for a stint. You do not need a degree to teach but one does need to be slightly better in the language and some teaching experience is helpful e.g. tuition, PT teaching, etc. Do email me if you need me to help here.

I guess in this down time it is never easy to look for the right job. Several kind of work that can be readily available but temp in nature includes:

1. Telemarketing – this is one vocation that is always in need. They can either be perm or PT work. I also did a few PT work in this area and pay can either be hourly rated or monthly.

2. Home removal – this is almost recession-proof work as people want to move house anytime of the year. Pay is so so around $50 a day and the job availability can be found in paper advertisement throughout the year. It is tough work but important thing is you get paid daily.

3. Tuition – this is almost available round the year as study-hard Singaporeans sought for extra coaching especially during holidays. Again one does not really need a degree to teach in primary schools. You can email the many tution centres round the island to signal your availability. If you can find your own students if ideal. The pay is by subject and frequency.

I hope that helps you. Do let me know if you need further assistance by emailing me. All the best! Keep the chin up!

Hi Logicalman,

Welcome to the club of helping many who are jobless here.

I guess we all need to help each other as much as we can as Singapore enters into it’s worse recession in decades.

You must have connect with Andrew already and he will see to it how you can help here.

Like you, I did alot of soul searching during my long periof of unemployment and chose social service as I was helping out in my church all along as a volunteer.

I am glad that you have taken this path on the helping profession and it is an honourable one. There is immense work satisfaction.

Many here who are jobless can take this opportunity to reflect on what we really want for the latter part of our life. Some may want to take this chance to do something that we really want but never could due to our crappy job that pays the bills. People like Singaporedaddy who all along wants to do some business in Russia can now go and realise his dream after being retrenched. So there is something positive out of retrenchment as we can reflect and take action on our dream which we all along could only fantasize.

Dick Bolles in his book “What colour is your parachute” – a must-read solid job search manual book, asked many who are jobless to go and search for our life calling. Many of us have certain gifts and talents and inclination for certain vocation. Like Logicalman here, he has somehow found his goal in life by embarking on what interests him all along. Sometimes, we go for a job that pays well when we can actually do something that we like and desire. Work becomes less of a chore but more of fulfilling one’s mission in life.

As many of us here may be retrenched or facing the axe soon, it is timely to reflect and ask orselves what do we really want out of our life? Do we then have the skills and talents to carry out the job? If not, we can embark on some training courses so that we are equipped for the vocation we desire. There is thus some form of fulfilling one’s life mission.

Thanks again Logicalman for your encouraging piece. It sure make my day here.

hi Gilbert, thanks for your word of encouragement. I’ll get in touch with Andrew to discuss further how I can help. I must say that helping one another has that rich feeling that CPF statements cannot give.

While working part time as a population census taker, I had the privilege of meeting a former principal of ACS. He shared with me a simple truth that remained firmly etched in my mind. He said, “Health is wealth. Don’t spend your health chasing wealth, because by the time you have wealth, you have lost your health.”

A book that changed my focus several years back was “Half-time” by Bob Buford. It deals with the 2nd half of one’s life. I could go with the flow, continue in my challenging and satisfying job with a top corporation, bring home the dough, enjoy some weekend sports, raise my kids and mind my own business, but that sounded all too hollow to me. It might be the practical thing to do, but will I recall this with fond memories on my death bed, or would something more meaningful be in order? Would I have made any difference as a regular indistinguishable corporate guy?

I chose the meaningful option. Though I spend 3 hours commuting by bus and trains daily for the last few years and I found much more time to reflect, plan and refresh myself for each day. I find myself more patient and learning to see things from different perspectives, instead of making curt statements like “we don’t grandstand”.

Like what Gilbert says, reflect at every opportunity. We’ll see clearly to make the right decisions instead of just moving along like everyone else or making simplistic decisions based on one dimension (think IR).

Its fantastic to see an oasis where people can come together to seek solace and respite. This is especially so in Singapore where nothing is ever free and everything has a price tag on.

I can understand some sentiments here, like N Veerasamy, logicalman, patriot et al. What I dont understand is why someone like singaporedaddy, who seems to be quiet an intelligent and resource chap even wants to go to a place like russia.

That I cannot understand. nevertheless to each his own :)

From 1999 till the early part of this decade I suffered unnecessary retrenchments

I retrained using my own money but this was of no use.

Often you are told that you are too old for the job.

MOM officilas are equally useless in helping you with anything.

So in 2004, I left Singapore leaving behind my wife and two small children

I took the biggest gamble of my life by going far away and trying for a job.

After five months I got one based entirely on what I knew not who I knew or how old I was.

After settling down here, my wife and children have since joined me.

I could not have asked for a more peaceful life.

Spending time with your family is more important here not going home at 10 pm or coming to work on the weekends.

MIcromanagement of your sub-ordinates is not welcome but owning up to your mistakes and proactive attitiudes are welcome

I often think about my home country and when I could go back.

But another economic recession has taken place.

More wealth belonging to the people have been lost by so called brilliant scholars.

Which means only one thing, I could think about Singapore but never think about going back.

Laniaz

Ya I can understand your sentiments. I too live abroad now and though my heart is with my country I really doubt that I really like the pace and culture there.

We need to work very hard (not that I am lazy) but I feel that there is no balance in SIngapore. We all overworked and became very materialistic due to a very goal-oriented society. We are also selfish and self-centred.

Our marraiges break up easily due to the long hours we spent at work and the stress we carried to our homes.

You are right also to say that we have a certain bias against age when we employ. Frankly, something is very wrong with our employment practices and this can’t go on forever. We have wages that do not commensurate with out experience and skills.

It is high time that we have some form of minimum wage system like Australia or US. Our govt is geared towards protecting employers so that their operating cost is lowered. The hiring of FTs also does not help the siutation as wages are constantly being depressed by foreigners who are willing to work at lower wages.

All the best to you in wherever you are. Though you are abroad, do not stop loving your country.

I can see clearly that everyone have the view about Singapore employment system. I also noted that many will be falling into the bankrutpcy title and their employment status will be a barrier to them, why? because employer have this statement with them, ‘Are you an undischarged bankrupt or have you ever been a bankrupt’ ? such clauses will not permit anyone even if he has listen to the government to upgrade himself and therefore I personally object to such clauses as the job description does not involve money transactions and why such clauses? If that were to be a bank perhaps its an important question. What is describe here is that people can do business / invest in Singapore but should not become a bankrupt, which the punishment is jobless situation. I have contested this issues with the government M.O.M but they don’t care. What’s the used of having a website like reach when feedback like this cannot reach attended at all?

lecturer,

Russia is a very nice place. I’ve been there at least 3 times and its good everytime, even when its -30 in winter, its good.

SD

78) Hi Veerasamy

Ya it is true that sometimes our govt is abit sticky and rigid with rules. Our employment act is also needs alot of revamping due to it’s pro-employer policy.

It is no wonder that every year tens of thousands of Singaporeans are leaving our country as if our country is a very lousy place to live in. So many of my friends have asked me how can they get a work permit or PR in Australia. Mind you, these are people who are already working in decent jobs and certainly have a place in society. So it is quite shocking for me.

I am unsure whether the grass is always greener elsewhere. There are the intense adjustment period (can be betwwen 12 to 30 months) and you miss home and friends. SO i go back regularly to visit my mum and friends. The regular haunts do make me yearn for them when I am abroad.

I wish you all the best and take good care of your family.

N Veerasamy,

You know this may sound crazy, but if its any help, it may fly – in russia, it doesnt matter whether you are declared a bankrupt – you see the laws there are pretty elastic – so you may want to consider that is your next port of call.

Dont shoot me, I am just trying to be helpful

PS: lecturer are you there? Yooooooooooooh! LOL

SD

78) N Veerasamy on November 27th, 2008 7.48 pm

If you tell that your story to the many foreigners here. They will just laugh at it. Yet we need foreigners here as educated to us by the higher-than-thou talent.

Veerasamy, those people you are arguing with are mechanical devices being programmed with outdated paradigm which unfortunately is still running unless and until one fine day they are being fed with new programme instructions. To put in it bluntly, they are being rewarded and compensated for sticking to rules and regulations.

@78) N Veerasamy
Welcome to Singapore, where citizen’s feedback rarely matters. The website? Oh its for good looks. :)

81)Sugardaddy

What can you do in Russia?

Business? But what kind?

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Good Afternoon Gilbert,

It would be my pleasure. Only I really dont know where to begin. You see Russia is not like China – for one it defies generalization. I guess if one really wants to glean out business opportunities there; then a bit of leg work would certainly come in handy and networking is really a must; for example; I happen to know a Malaysian and Singaporean based in the Ukraine who actually deal in second hand tractor parts; they seem to buy it by the kilogramme and resell it to the gulf states and India for a hefty profit; then there is another chappy I happen to know who deals with LPG kits that I believe he gets them from Australia or Germany and he is reselling them to Georgia and the Balkan states.

So if you really patch it all up Gilbert its really horses for courses; but I dont really recommend anything capital intensive in Russia; its just too risky and we are not only talking financial risk here but also legal blind spots that you need to be so open minded abt your brains are literally failing out; the law in Russia is in a mess; that always needs to be borned in mind – so the risk veers to the moderate to high.

But anything where the buyer is able to come up with a LC (Letter of credit) that can be factored locally or in any part of the western hemisphere, I guess is a good model.

I hope that points the way; thanks for asking Gilbert and I wish you luck.

SD (Internet Liaison officer of the brotherhood)

Another area that is good to go based on my research is commodity based transactional trading (CT) – now I know this sounds like something straight out of lehman bros, but its got nothing to do with paper transactions and its really just a big word to describe bartering.

That’s to say the buyer may not have hard currency, but what they do have is lets say 2 or 3 warehouses of iron billets or even a couple of warehouses of phosphates (fertilizer) – this sort of trading is especially common in the caucasus starting from Montenegro right up to Romania – where much of the central and public services have really being left to decay – now it takes a bit of luck and opportunity to set up these deals and considerably more time as here the buyer may very well be something very similar to a TC’s or maybe a consortium that is partially state funded and how it works is lets say; they may need X number of capacitors for their power grid or maybe Y quantity of co-axial cables or Z lengths of railways stock – problem: no hard currency or maybe the Russian mafia shot up the bank and everyone has decided to go on permanent sick leave or something (sounds like a good idea), but they still need the stuff to keep the state running.

Now the problem there is you cant just put a warehouse of iron billets or sacks of fertilizer into a samsonite and just step on board a plane and go; so those sort of deals require a bit of logistics and material handling knowledge etc.

Pays also if you got a bit of commando training. That always comes in handy in those parts.

But you get my drift, my hope here Gilbert is really to start the ball rolling by throwing out a few ideas that some people may want to toy with – remember everything starts small and small is always beautiful.

SD

Laniaz

Anyone who is 40 years or older is seen as an equivalent of a leper in the working world. Suddenly the company seems to think you’re irrelevant, out-of-touch, too set in your own ways, inflexible or just plain obsolete.

I’ve seen it happen right in front of my eyes during the dark days of 2002/03 when senior and respected colleagues with years of industry experience were given the big envelope. These folks literally were the founding fathers of the business and instead of tapping their knowledge to keep the company steady, they were the first to be let go. It happened then, it’s happening now. Bloody hell! I want to tell those SOBs with the MBAs out there : you may be young now, but one day you will grow old, and when that day comes for you to take the big envelope, someone will be waiting outside the door to spit on your frigging face! What goes around, comes around.

Singaporedaddy,

Thanks for your views on Russia. Ya what you are doing is highly risky both in scope and magnitude.

Maybe we all have a morbid image of Russa – cold war, standoff and secret services sure doesn’t help to sooth the frightening thoughts.

I also have thoughts of doing something on my own having work my socks off for the past 20 over years and not getting any richer or wise.

The poor employment climate in Singapore also doesn’t comfort those who are in his 40s and unprofessional (not a doctor, laywer or architect).

When you are older, employers tend to pay you lesser as you are deemed over the hill and undrivened.

Whatever you do in Russia is certainly interesting though my poor business sense could not comprehend what you are trying to do that.

Anyway, do take care and my best wishes to you in the Red Square.

Must thank Gilbert for his contribution.
But we should take up any job that comes by .Pay low oso Bo pian .
Dun insist on high salary and keep feeling that the pay is too low ..and to those Tua Or Sheng….dun gong gong wait for the reply on the previous interview..Grab any job that comes to you first.Can consider to work as cleaner,general worker or sookoority……,
We must also understand employer .Not all are doing well.
Also,try to understand and dun blame friends or relatives for not lending us money when in need becos we can never tell,not all but some of them are oso as broke as us It is just that they dun go and tell everyone how broke they are,like me.I am not jobless now…but i am not well off oso..with bank after me almost daily leh…so Bo Pian dun wait for good salary job to come.

Being unemployed for any lenght of time is distressing and staying positive is a challenge. Its take a strong character to withstand it. If not one have to develope one on the quick. Some of us had suffered unemployment during our working life and if the economy is growing, getting the next job is just a short wait. However, this recession is going to be worst and last longer. There is not many job about at the moment. Family and friends support is invaluable and if lady luck smile on us, then the job you want will turn up in most unexpected way. Staying positive and taking exercise are essential to keep one healthy. Staying at home all day is not a solution and keeping away from friends and family only make matter worst. Good advices from the author.