Leong Sze Hian, with contribution by Ng E Jay
I refer to the report “Over 19,000 job seekers find work through SPUR programme” (CNA, Jul 3).
Since the number of residents approaching CDCs for help in finding jobs has increased by 100 per cent from October last year to April this year, and the number of unemployed as of March is 95,700, why is it that only 27,000 “people are still looking for work”, as the CNA report said?
If we include those who have lost their jobs since March, surely the number of “people still looking for work” must be much higher?
Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong said last Friday that it is likely we may observe the unemployment rate rise when the second quarter labour statistics are released later this month. He also said that “it is hard to predict if a second wave of retrenchments will come as this depends on the performance of companies beyond July and August”.
How many of the total of 124,500 workers who have signed up for SPUR since its launch last December are unsuccessful job seekers who have not been counted in the unemployment statistics?
It may not be very useful to keep hearing that more and more jobs are available at e2i — 30,000 now, 19,000 in April and 12,668 in February, that matching these jobs to the unemployed is a challenge, and that Singaporeans are choosy, etc.
What we need is a breakdown of the total jobs created into new jobs that were added this month and spillover jobs that have remained in the database, including information as to how long the jobs in the database have remained unfilled and the salary range specified, so that we may know exactly what jobs people are not taking up.
There should also be a clearer indication of what jobs are available now and paying salaries now. For example, I understand that some of the jobs at the two Integrated Resorts may only start paying full salaries when they open at the end of the year or next year.
On the e2i web site, following the link “what jobs are available” – “PMET”- leads to the web sites of 7 Government ministries and agencies.
Does this mean that there are no jobs in the private sector available for PMETs?
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We all know there are jobs available but that they are all low end work especially cleaners, security guards, drivers, general workers, etc.
PMETs will have a hard time trying to get work in their own sector as employers are simply not hiring.
Sentiments are also bad and orders are slow. I heard that our shipyards have so many empty vessels that they line our shores.
I think this will continue till maybe early next year hopefully when things get better.
Singaporeans who are retrenched now will have to be very innovative to get work now and in the future.
Certain industries like manfacturing will be turbulent and stormy. It may be good now to think of a safer industry if there is any.
Time now also to think out of the box and be creative on how we can look for a job.
Totally agreed.. i, for one did an evaluation on my career path prospect and finally took the risk of retraining myself for a more secure future. Having just grad from an accounting degree and undertaking a CPA program will secure myself in years to come knowing that my chosen new career is afterall well recongised by an international body and i will have the opportunity of practising my trade in any part of the world and not just limited to Spore.
I hope that others PMETs will use this recession to rethink about their current career to see if its as secure as they thought. On a personal note, any career choice that has an overseeing body’s acredition is the most secure.
Something for all to ponder on… Cheers
It is very obvious that they will never reveal the truth, as the truth will surely make them look bad.
And even if they do make an attempt to be truthful about the figures, it will likely be ‘sweetened’ to mask the ‘bitter’ undertones.
So, it is best the public conduct their own surveys and serve up the figures with the much wanted transparency.
Dear Mr GAN,
Can your ministry release more figures? Let’s us, the people who voted you in, see that our tax has been fully utilised to support the job market and job seekers.
Let us see some facts and figures such that it reflects the trumpeting good news of the mainstream media. We don’t to hear any more singing from some Minister w/o portfolio. That guy is a union jester.
We would like to see numbers. We have shown you the money. So ..Show us the numbers.
It is about TIME….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zcGRMdgtZM
Uhm, you seem to have forgotten something – FT!
Singaporeans = 2nd class citizens. No jobs for us.
After losing my job, I was regretting making the switch from my Indian passport to a Singaporean one. My employment chances could have been way higher.
Doesn’t matter got job available or not, or people want it or not.
Most important is majority people still got money to spend. Look at the queues and crowds at restaurants, great Singapore Sale, condo launches, car showrooms, etc.
So PAP has nothing to worry about. 50% walkovers and 66% mandate for sure at the next election, statistically speaking.
You got no job and no money? Well, it’s your business. Anyway you are the minority. And just be peaceful and law abiding.
“So PAP has nothing to worry about. 50% walkovers and 66% mandate for sure at the next election, statistically speaking.”
Good. PAP has no fear now. Good time to do away with GRC system
Got some doubt that the unemployment rate is abt 3.5%!
US already 9 to 10%, Japan already 5,6%, Australia abt 7%! Average abt 6%!
Singapore is still so low and is it that the satistic being mask by SPUR program?
Those unemployed but under SPUR consider employed?
Is good to reveal the actual figure to the public to better prepare ourselves!
Will the unemployment rate go up after Job Credit?
You think the gahmen will dare to reveal the actual figures to us ? Take what you read in the local papers and media with a big pinch of salt !! They are told by their pay masters what to say and what not to say !
One good example – MAS claims that two thirds of Minibond investors were compensated by the banks but what they did not tell you is the percentage of the principal amount that was offered as compensation.
Many were offered a mere 10% of their total investments, so if you sunk $100K of your life savings into the Minibonds, you only get back $10K and minus the interest that was paid to you. And those who got full compensation are people who had invested smaller sums. This smoke screen tactic help to push up the number of investors offered compensation but in reality the total dollar value of compensation is very low.
So can MAS please reveal the truth – what is the value of the total compensation offered compared to the total dollar amount of investments sunk into the Minibonds ??
The longer they stay in power, the harder it is for any of them to look themselves in the mirror each day…
… parasites.
talk no use. let take a look at the next election
The government should take the plunge and invest in its people — provide seed money to all citizens and PRs who can come up with a business plan that can hopefully generate revenue, create jobs, and build a new force of Singaporean entrepreneurs. This new breed of Singaporean will have no time to gripe about unkind employers, highly-paid ministers etc — they will be busy making their own bucks. I think the NTUC should take the initiative — after all, they are the champions of the workers. It’s time the NTUC move away from big-time business like FairPrice, Comfort etc and move into investing into mom-and-pop enterprises.
this govt will never, ever show you the statistics needed to do your own analysis.
it will only give the citizens fodder to criticise the shortcomings.
that’s why Singapore under the ruling party will not progress – unlike in the States when pple demand to see the data for themselves and will THINK for themselves how to interpret them.
Today’s Shit Times reported on how one of our mayors TSL was particularly concerned about reducing the response time in providing the required assistance to those unemployed especially those in desperate situation and how he regretted not getting back fast enough to prevent the unemployed father of three from jumping to his death.
In the same article, the Shit Times elaborated on how he uses his quick responsive qualities as an avid sportsman in trying to help those in desperate need. I just can’t help concluding that the whole article is a whole PR exercise in promoting this major in view of coming elections. And I expect more to be written about the merits of our PAP potential election candidates.
The fact is someone has already jumped to his death because of unemployment and this is happening in Singapore where the ministers are paid the highest salaries in the world. Don’t these ministers feel ashamed that some unemployed Singaporean has to jump to his death because he is unable to feed his family with 3 kids ?
I went to e2i and saw a long queue waiting for interview.
There were many who appear to have originated from overseas like near the indian ocean.
Based on what i saw, I sense that yes, prolly there are some jobs being created but cannot say many or not. But 1 thing for sure, the jobs are open to many and not just singaporeans. In the queue were about 10 infront of me who originated from around the same place based on their accent and the ladies dressing style.
For the same position, we have to queue up in the same row. One lady asked the guy infront and he said he is from B**g*lor*.
I changed queue to interview for a lower paying , different line position sensing that with at least 10 infront of me for the same position, my chances would be higher in other positions at the expense of salary.
I feel proud that singapore is so Equal Opportunity for people who originated from all over. Even in this crisis. Even in job fairs like these.
I am simply touched beyond reasonable doubt.
I rest my case, your honorable mere mortalites. got job better dun play play and stick to it. Its a Jungle out there!
And if you happen to still be holding on to a job, fortunately, you surely could not feel the full extent of what I have gone through and going through.
peace
In Australia, the recent focus is how to further enhance their Fair Work Act. The wise Australian govt has more than 300 full-time professionals that investigate complaints of discrimination, etc, by Australian workers.
In S’pore, there isn’t even any such anti work related discrimination Act….not to mention any action from our govt. Why is it so hard for our ruling elite to enact such an Act to S’porean workers fight against discrimination by employers. For instance, S’porean workers are frequently discriminated on the basis of age…..if you are past 40 and unemployed, your chances of getting a job soon is close to zero.
All the tripartite stuff our govt say is just crap shit. There is no real labour union in S’pore!!! And certainly no laws that protects S’pore workers.
“In the same article, the Shit Times elaborated on how he uses his quick responsive qualities as an avid sportsman in trying to help those in desperate need. I just can’t help concluding that the whole article is a whole PR exercise in promoting this major in view of coming elections. And I expect more to be written about the merits of our PAP potential election candidates.”
========================
It is not called the Shit Times for no reason. It is just a propaganda mechinery of MIW. I personally don’t think Teo Ser Luck is even half as capable as Shit Times tried to project….just a pretty face….look at the disastrous AYG
It appears that our govt lies are not very consistent with each other.
They used to boast about Singapore being an educational hub filled with skilled people. But when it comes to job, they lament we have no talent and used it as an excuse to bring in FT (including foreign farmers) in the hope to mitigate the lower birth rate here. When the jobless rate gone up & wages depressed because of FT policies, they started to blame & shame Singaporean with higher education for not wanting jobs with low wages. Thereafter smoked us that such low jobs requires exceptional skills too and than came up with spur to tease our intelligence. So they tell us to put aside all decades of our tertiary educations, past experiences in MNCs and go into training to become cleaner, security guards, waiters, and other kind of labourers for a small sum just enough to feed the govt but not us. Afraid that the people will protest, they enacted laws to silence us, tie us with it and beat us into submission to accept their statistic as it is with falsified rosy picture, & pap newspaper were also quit to jump in, wanting the people to show praise and gratitude for their job “well done”. The whole system is a well-plotted and co-ordinated group of bullies and take on Singaporeans who are grieved. Is this the type of mandate we want that they do not wish to bow to talented Singaporean but continue to bootlick FT (including 3rd world farmers).
Such bitterness only the ground can feel but it won’t be long when election comes.
Even the SPURS numbers reported in CNA was wrong…
from 83,500 + 43,600=124,100. Somehow, they managed to get 124,500.
Wonder what happened to the 400.
Their lies are so blatant….Restructuring was mentioned in year 2000, i guess….and till now with all their training programmes they have not managed to restructure….
what nonsense……almost 10years and they cannot reskill people…..I am sure they will mention the same story again…
The only way out for Singaporeans is to VOTE PAP OUT….send a clear message….Stop the bullshit….make them work for us……not shame us….or test our intelligence….
Yes 22) , I’ve always said this, Vote the PAP out. Singaporeans have to be brave and now is the time. The opposition are more than capable today and many would join to help us through this mess this country and people are facing.
It seems too that the policies that come out are not well thought through. Who finally approves these policies, the ministers, perm secs …..?
People are smarter now to see through the errors of policies. They are not perfect but they cannot be one sided too.
more and more jobs available because employers too picky about age. get real, bosses. singapore is aging. these older workers are willing to accept lower pay but you are not willing to give them a job, even jobs like cleaners, salesman, factory workers also want 25 years old and below. Then when gahmen asks, bosses will pretend and lie that job seekers are too picky. WTH.
aiyoyo
we must 互相帮忙嘛;
help each other, then hope economy recover fast fast la
and go forward lor…
if still hang on to current stage,
later developing countries catch up 1st world red dot,
then head big again – for commoners…
aiyoyo
Singapore’s Unemployment Rate is the ‘Resident Unemployment Rate’, which includes Singaporeans AND Permanent Residents. The Citizen Unemployment Rate was never revealed. Apparently for a good reason. Its so easy to get PR in Singapore its meaningless to talk about unemployment here.
30,000 jobs are available now? Stop kidding PAP. The citizens are not laughing. It will be clearer if the figures were broken down by industry, job title and companies. Companies and government agencies can report that they need more workers but are factually not willing to hire during the economic downturn. Increases in the work burden will be filtered out to the existing employees.
30,000 jobs available? Is PAP kidding? We citizens are not laughing. Can the government break down the figure according to industry, job title and companies? This will help job finders too. Out of these 30,000 vacancies, how many are actually open for job finders? Companies can report a shortage of manpower but are not willing to hire during an economic downturn, with the existing workload passed on to those yet retrenched.
Those who are unemployed for more than 1 year are taken off the unemployment statistics.
There are also many underemployed e.g. former executives now working as security guards, taxi drivers.
Lastly what about those earning way below what they should be paid e.g. my aunt working 45 hours a week as childcard centre assistant earning just $650 a month before CPF.
If you add in the above, you will get the real picture.
The WDA chief previously admitted that those undergoing training are NOT classified as unemployed. Here u go….
What is the defination of unemployment!
Hi #29 Trueblood singaporean,
unemployment , to me at least, is when :
1. being a home-maker
2. when one is jobless
3. when one is retrenched
4. when your employer says change in business requirement
5. when your contract not renewed
being employed can be :
1. self-employed due to whatever reasons.
2. being a student fulltime.
3. take up a job that pays you 10 times less or more.
4. as a insurance agent, even if not by choice.
5. as a house agent, even if not by choice.
6. as a tutor, ditto
what happens if one registers a sole proprietorship with ZERO business activities due to economic situation etc?
Considered employed?
Can i assume no one knows the TRUTH to this question?
many people may have registered a business without using the company for some reasons.
hi Terence
on July 8th, 2009 6.38 pm
////Those who are unemployed for more than 1 year are taken off the unemployment statistics.
There are also many underemployed e.g. former executives now working as security guards, taxi drivers.////
yeah, can tell by the way they speak & what they wear.
are we paying to much for education, post secondary all the way up?
The only concern I see as raised by this article is
WHO KNOWS EXACTLY HOW IS UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS DETERMINED?
AND THEN WHO CHECKS ON THE PERSON WHO COMPILED THE STATISTICS?
again, i TRUST all is done correctly and accurately and fairly.
The question remains, who knows? and what is the reality? what is the answers to our questions.
Trust is not exactly bad thing. Clarity is even better.
Trust the right person = you have a good judgement of character
Trust the right thing = you have a good sense of judgement
Trust blindly = either you are ignorant fool or you’re lazy.
PS: Please always remember to read the “fine-prints” before you sign your “blood” on it.
Once again we are presented with figures which seem to contradict the situation on the ground. Repeatedly we are receiving what someone once term “non answer” when their real situation is exposed and an explanation is sough. The people have to take it or leave it because there is no threat or challenge their rule. Thus, there is no necessity for them to provide a full account as accountability lies in their own hands. With all the institutions which are supposed to prevent such abuse being compromised, we have little recourse. I basically do not believe that the any number of NMPs in parliament will result in the statistics being questioned or the decisions challenged.
In the absence of a strong opposition, the only avenue for the people, political and social activist is to push for a “freedom of information act” or FIA. While the OSA and ISA are often used to shield the people in power, the FIA would serve as the tool to ensure transparency and accountability. While it would be perfectly justifiable for the government to deny any request for information in the interest of country under the OSA, it cannot deny information which is required to ascertain accountability and transparency to prevent abuse and corruption. For example, the details/justification for the 8 months bonus, the management of the TC funds and assets of politicians are information that should be made available to the public upon request. If this is not done, we might end up needing gigantic vaults to hide the skeletons or have to call in the army should there be a freak election.
To DP
You are right. But without more opposition in the parliament, how are we going to push for a “freedom of information act”? Online petition? Writing forum letters to Straits Times?
They have a monopoly in the parliament, and they choose who to be NMPs. Frankly, I do not know how swimming well can help one in speaking out for the people.
So ultimately, General Election is the best time for us to show PAP who is the boss.
Do the right thing; vote them OUT.
One more term with them, will surely mean more suicides, more people ending up in Mental Institutes, foreigners flooding the shrinking job market, more locals migrating, much much higher costs of living, graduates may end up having to clear tables in food courts, more lame excuses and self-serving policies, and probably – NEVER see your CPF money at all.
All these people are unemployed!
1) Insurance Agents
2) Property Agents
3) Tutors
4) Student above 30yrs cause 1/3 life already spend on studying!
Do they report Income Tax?
Better vote them out before temaSICk and GIC wiped out the country’s reserves !
Better vote them out before Singapore become Chinaspore !!
Better vote them out before we are pushed to die in JB !!!
Hi Leong Sze Hian and Ng E Jay,
“On the e2i web site, following the link “what jobs are available” – “PMET”- leads to the web sites of 7 Government ministries and agencies.”
Even if you try to apply jobs at the “7 Government ministries and agencies” you will either be deemed to be too old (if you are above 40) or too expensive and then the jobs will be given to the younger foreigners or the govt scholars. You just need to take a look at who are their senior posts personnel to know what I mean.
So in the end PMETS only have one choice: be ‘self-employed’ and eat “grass”.
I am not sure if I am the only one who feels this way.
Regarding the issue about employment in Singapore, the Singapore government mentioned that there are many jobs for its citizens and it’s the choosy Singaporeans who do not want them. But what kind of jobs are available to Singaporeans?
My question is, inter alia, why does the Singapore government create jobs that no Singaporean wants to do and then use the excuse that Singaporeans do not want such jobs and as a result, Singapore has no choice but to turn to foreigners. Is the government really listening?
Right, it is understandable and reasonable that Singapore cannot be just made up of professionals and not everyone’s wish can be catered to. But there are many occupations where there is no need to turn to foreigners.
The excuse that Singaporeans are choosy has become a convenient excuse for employers/government to turn to foreigners. I ask, have all reasonable efforts been made by the government and employers to ensure that citizens are being considered first? I am afraid that I am not sure.
I am sure if the jobs being created are truly what Singaporeans want and are being offered on reasonable terms, re-training would not be a problem.
It is interesting to see so many people here complaining and criticising about the Singapore government and its governance.
I am not sure if it is entirely reflective of the overall sentiments of Singaporeans as if indeed it is so, it is a puzzle how the Singapore government can be in power and claim to hold the mandate of Singaporeans.
Perhaps, matters of the heart and mind are different after all. The heart rejects and criticises but the mind rules over the heart during election and it’s better and safer not to go against PAP and vote for a hopeless opposition.
I feel, fate lies in our hands and if we don’t even dare to want to make a change, then we pretty much agree to go through all that we are going through as we agreed to all these.
Singapore has to hold its GE by 2011 (I think) and assuming that the economy has not recovered by then, it would be interesting to see how the GE goes.
But of course, the Singapore government is smart and will never be short of ideas with the talent pool it has.
jobseekers can also ask why employers are so choosey leh.
why must be cheaper, younger & faster? why so choosey also? moderare expectation cannot? where is the corporate social responsibility?
the header should read
<<>>
because not S’poreans do not want, but have simple calculations point to the fact many job openning simply do not pay enough to sustain the individual.
terms so cut throat how to want? why cannot pay locals market rate, or does it apply to the privilege few?
////moderare expectation cannot?////
should be
“moderate expectation cannot?”
On a side note, at present, there really isn’t a credible opposition in Singapore which can take over from PAP and offer Singaporeans an alternative voice.
I am saying, change from within PAP is difficult, if not unforeseeable.
Till then or till opposition takes over, real change is difficult.
Hi (47) Lawrence,
Since you mentioned “there really isn’t a credible opposition in Singapore”, what is considered “credible” to you? If we were to reverse the scenario, such that there are only 2 PAP winners, while the rest are from the other parties; how do you think these 2 PAP winners will fare?
Maybe, like what someone suggested, we should survey or list the attributes of the leaders we expect to have, regardless of their political parties.
If there is really no good leaders, I guess the only solution would be:
We, the citizens of Singapore in this forum,
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language, religion, or status,
to build a democratic and fair society for Singaporeans,
based on justice, love, equality, and practicality,
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity, peace, decent living, and
progress for our nation.
Remember, every drop makes an ocean.
We have the power…
interesting video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcBFp4hemrI
42) creducator on July 10th, 2009 1.24 am
……“On the e2i web site…..
Even if you try to apply jobs at the “7 Government ministries and agencies” you will either be deemed to be too old (if you are above 40) or too expensive and then the jobs will be given to the younger foreigners or the govt scholars. …
So in the end PMETS only have one choice: be ’self-employed’ and eat “grass”.
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There is this CDC so-called job consultant or something like that called me last week after not calling for over a month at least if not 2 months.
Last time, he told me, oh his WD@ got a job opening. he said he will forward my resume. And then no reply. nothing.
now, he call and sound so sweet and appologetic like say, oh so long never call you. want to come for course? 1 day only. ‘HOW TO WRITE a RESUME’.
I felt insulted. I have more experience in working life than he has as a job consultant.
I have successfully been hired many times in the past. That was when the economy was good thanks in part to USA.
I am still wondering why he keep calling me to attend course like these.
Does it mean i become employed or considered being HELPED by CDC if I attend course and also become not part of the unemployment statistics?
who knows the answer?
“I am still wondering why he keep calling me to attend course like these.”
Whose know it is because this consultant can claim money from government by telling you that it is free and all you need to do is to sign some forms. Yes, it does happen. Won’t be surprised such 1 day course will markup more than $100 … … more expensive than inter-course in Geylang , haha…