Tuesday, February 9, 2010 4:11
Conflicting signals from Government over foreign manpower policy
In Commentaries, Politics, Top Story • 1,625 views • 39 Comments
By Ng E-Jay
The government appears to be sending out conflicting signals over its foreign manpower policy, a possible indication that rising concerns over the liberal import of foreign workers in recent years are starting to overwhelm decision makers in the PAP cabinet.
Last Sunday, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong told the media during a visit to Nee Soon Central that when scaling down our dependence on foreign workers, we have to take into account business cycles. [1]
Mr Gan said that when the economy is doing very well, we need to allow it (the import of foreign labour) to expand a little bit within some limits.
In his own words as quoted by Channel News Asia: “In a recession, we have to monitor the situation and allow the foreign worker population to come down, but when the economy recovers, we have to be very careful, (and) calibrate our response carefully, otherwise you may stifle the economic recovery.”
The Manpower Minister appears to be articulating the point that the government will adjust the inflow of foreign workers according to economic conditions so as to balance the supply and demand of labour.
As Singapore is currently embarking on an economic recovery after being severely hit by the global recession in 2008, is Mr Gan suggesting that more foreign workers will be allowed in at this point in time, in response to our new-found economic expansion?
If so, then Mr Gan’s remarks could be in contradiction with the position taken by the Economic Strategies Committee (ESC), as well as the views expressed by the Prime Minister, Senior Minister, and Minister Mentor, who in the past couple of weeks went all out in assuring Singaporeans that the inflow of foreign workers will be moderated.
Speaking at the sidelines of a community function on 24 Jan, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said that “If you want to grow fast, it means a larger foreign workforce, which I don’t think is advisable because already, we have too huge a presence (of such workers) and we’re not emphasizing productivity.” [2]
A day later, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong added on to SM Goh’s remarks, saying that “we cannot indefinitely expand our workforce by importing more and more workers from abroad,” and that Singapore is to adopt a new economic growth strategy focused more on improving productivity than pursuing growth at all costs, as we are faced with physical constraints such as limited land. [3]
Assurance that there would be fewer foreign workers in five years also came from Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who was the first minister to put a time line on the Government’s pledge since last year to reduce the inflow of foreign workers. Speaking at an event to mark the Housing and Development Board’s 50th anniversary, MM Lee said that “The next five years, we have decided we will tier down our need for foreign workers“. [4]
The suggestion for Singapore to cut back its dependence on, and moderate the inflow foreign labour, with a renewed emphasis on raising productivity in place of mere expansion of the pool of workers, was formally articulated by the Economic Strategies Committee (ESC) which released its report in early February.
The ESC report, taken in conjunction with the statements made by the Prime Minister, Senior Minister, and Minister Mentor, clearly indicate that the government is committed to reducing the inflow of foreign labour as the current rate of import cannot be sustained.
Although the ESC had based its report solely on economic considerations, it does not take a genius to figure out that the government, in deciding to fine-tune its foreign manpower policy, must have also taken into consideration rising concerns on the ground concerning foreign workers depriving Singaporeans of jobs or suppressing wages at the lower end of the income spectrum.
Given that the deadline for the next general election is fast approaching, it would be politically foolhardy for the ruling party to ignore the rising groundswell and the legitimate concerns voters have over the impact of the government’s foreign manpower policy on their livelihoods as well as on the social fabric.
Yet, the Manpower Minister has made remarks which suggest that the inflow of foreign workers will be raised if economic conditions warrant it.
This seems to call into doubt the government’s sincerity in reducing the reliance on foreign workers in a five year time-frame.
To add to the confusion, Mr Gan also said that foreigners “abroad” are the real competition, not foreigners who work within our shores. [5]
The Straits Times quoted Mr Gan as saying that everyone working and living here — be they citizens or foreigners — should be considered the “in-group” who are contributing to the country, competing against the real “out-group”, who are those (foreigners) working outside Singapore.
Is Mr Gan therefore suggesting that foreigners working here are to be considered on equal footing with born and bred citizens, by mere virtue of the fact that both groups are collectively competing against the rest of the world?
How can that ever be a realistic or reasonable notion?
The government’s clumsy attempts at addressing voters’ concerns over its foreign manpower policy has created more confusion than clarity.
If this is not cleared up in time, voters may well express their dissatisfaction over the way the government has handled the foreign labour issue at the ballot box.
_______________________________________
References:
[1] Channel News Asia, “Measures to encourage low-wage workers to take up training expected during Budget“, 07 Feb 2010.
[2] Straits Times, “Work smarter, harder to sustain growth: SM”, 25 Jan 2010.
[3] Straits Times, “Grow productivity, not just GDP: PM”, 26 Jan 2010.
[4] Straits Times, “Fewer foreign workers in five years, says MM”, 28 Jan 2010.
[5] Straits Times, “Foreigners abroad ‘are the real competition’”, 08 Feb 2010.
Related posts:
- Foreign labour policy & income disparity in Singapore
- Foreign Talent policy: of principle and practice
- Time for the government to re-look “no-welfare state” policy
- TOC Special Feature: Foreign Talent policy remains contentious, and for reason too
- Cutting cheap labour not the solution, says Manpower Minister
39 Comments
Idiot
gemami
It does tell of a bigger story that all this talk about calibrating the flow of the foreign aliens is nothing but another attempt to hoodwink the people. With these ministers telling it the way they are doing and getting themselves all tangled up doing so could only mean that there is more than meets the eye.
Do I think the government is serious about halting the flow of the foreign aliens? Do I believe that it is calibrating the flow by assessing the economic condition of the day and discern whether there is a need to hire or fire depending on these conditions? Not a chance!
All I see is a vain attempt to play to the gallery, to get itself caught up in the wind that is blowing, nothing more, nothing less. There is a clear lack of sincerity in the way the issue has been handled so far.
Why can’t the government simply say this; “…since Singaporeans are deeply affected by our foreign employment policy, we will immediately stop all hiring of foreign labours until we have addressed their concerns and make sure that not one single Singaporean loses his job to any foreign worker we hire…”
Why must everything they do be measured against the economic dollar? By forcing the citizen to embark on the same economic bandwagon, it is plainly and simply telling every citizen that there is no other way the economy can move forward other than to chase after the economic dollar – in terms of how the government decides this dollar is to be earned.
This stifles growth in other aspects that makes up the citizenry. No wonder we lack behind in so many other areas, mainly in the area of creativity. How can the citizens be creative when the government preaches nothing but one-track-mindedness?
theforgottongeneration
Regardless of the official oft claims that our civil servants are selected based on merits, blah, blah, blah…, the people will know a leader when they see one. And our Manpower Minister certainly ain’t one, to my reckoning.
The equation of foreign worker influx–productivity–GDP growth–(citizens’ well being?) has been screwed for over a decade, and now the manpower minister starts to explain why?!!?. So what has he been doing the past 10 years such that Singapore is in the fix now? Why should I believe what he says now, in future or past? Can he explain convincingly what “calibrating” means? I understand, first mentioned by NPS, that calibrated for 10+ years until the FW content is now 35% of the population and we found that we are screwed. Does anyone know that the FW content went up 1% of population just from 2007/8 to 2008/9, in the same breath that they said it is being “calibrated”? It was arrested only when the recession kicked in, and not because of deliberate policies of “calibration” as they are painting it now. Pls, the population is much educated now, so if “Calibration” means “Cock-up”, then at least has the integrity to say so.
Another thing is why should we listen to “second-hand” information, and second guess what is happening? We still see the older politicians commenting on issues BEFORE the incumbent PM and his current batch of “army buddies”. I must say that for LKY, at least when he say something, then there is a direction for Singapore — whether for good or bad. The current generation of ministers in contrast are just running in circles, often sending conflicting signals. Look at the other “Army” minister (aka labour chief) — what good has his “cheaper, faster, better” done to our labour woes and productivity levels since he started coining it? Plain ******* useless!
If the govt is really serious about the FW issue, give us a blueprint of how the percentage will be reduced over the next 5 years. How jobs which S’poreans “avoided” can be made platable (like maybe the scheme for our MPs – pay & pay until nobody wants to leave?). Which minister will be accountable. How incentives/directives will be provided for job redesigning, etc…. etc…
Things like increasing the foreign levy is such a no brainer. But I suppose that is the best we can expect from our meritocratic ministers.
Misfit
‘Appealing’ political statements using broad terms without clear objectives.. another sign election is near.
Solaris
Our govt may be confused. There is a new calculus these days higher productivity is no longer a guarantee for the good life. They may need to buy into this new calculus
Most of us are already shifting gears, but this people are still stuck on the same broken record.
Gun U Down
This PAPaya is realling rotting away. If they can’t even agree on a simple issue, then how to rule this tiny little country with their their MILLION DOLLARS brains ? And this Gun guy, he’s a gonna for sure. Pls vote him out else we will see greater influx of these foreign pontianaks here to suck our blood.
Kallanguni with Nuclear PhD
Singapore economy has been not performing well in my opinion. I opine that its largely due to the Extreme reliance on USA.
Jerome bata kuching
Export model is very vulnerable and highly dependent. I hope new political leaders make singapore a robust economy and not be so dependent on other countries. What does this mean when financial crisis is said to be unpredictable and comes every now and then and each time worse and earlier than expected if not lasting longer than expected? Got future like this? How secure for mere mortals?
This can mean 1 thing only.
Human capital is under-developed although that is the only resource it has.
Creative industry is the last resort. This unfortunately requires a conducive and free environment where people can try and fail with their ideas.
I hope new leaders aspiring to take over singapore focus on this direction i have pointed out.
For the sake of our offsprings, We need a Better Model of success that is able to Sustain in the long term regardless of financial crisis which according to experts, none of them really know when another will strike in a conclusive way and each crisis is said to be more disastrous and different than the other even despite claiming problem understood and safe guards and mechanism put in place .
Desperate
I am not at all surprised that they are confused. They just woke up from a deep sleep. They are just simply
incompetent. It is as simple as that. Just throw some 2 cents worth of proposals and then go back to sleep.
Time for change.
Craps again
“In a recession, we have to moniter the situation and allow the fw population to come down…… ”
Mr. MM Gan, the year 2009 was in recession, and yet Singapore imported the highest number of fw and ft.
Kindly explain to us in layman’s lingo the contradictary comments you uttered recently!!
You also said that ‘ we have to moniter’ What exactly do you mean by ‘moniter’ ? If you had ‘moniter’ we would’t have landed our selves in this shit situation, where by the citizens are crying foul almost every hour of the day!!
To-date, you have not given us the true figuares as to how many jobs have been lost by the locals to the foreigners whom you have so easily allowed in.
To-date you have not solved the issue of the PMETs who also lost their jobs in a similar manner.
There are lots of talking and singing the old tunes of productivity etc etc but no concrete actions so far to tackle and solve the problems at hand.
Singaporeans need to see results as we are paying the out-of-this-world salaries for you all to produce
results and not to listen to all the shitty craps!!
angry_one
My sources from inside the govt tell me that they will definitely increase the inflow of foreign thrash. Employers and the govt love them for being cheap and hard-driving. In fact, many civil servants have this destructive mentality that locals and stupid and lazy, for some reason.
Ah Siao
The Papies want to have one’s cake and eat it.
Eat shit lah!
Joe
I agree with gemami’s comment : “All I see is a vain attempt to play to the gallery”.
a friend of mine has this to say about our government : ” The garment does not really know what is happening. They simply react to the situation at the time and make ambigious speeches that go either way”. While this may be said in jest, i think there is alot of truth in that statement.
Alot of times, we see government leaders making speeches but upon careful analysis of the statement, you will find that they are either contradicting their earlier positions or simply too vague to be either right or wrong.
Has anyone ever wondered about the GDP forecast that the governement gives ? Sometimes, these are given with so much qualifiers (eg. if the US dollar remains strong, if the import continues, if Euro market blah blah, the the region shows growth, etc, etc), that it makes it the forecast worthless.
The position of the government appears to be :
“Hey guys, we also do not know what is happening and how everything is going to pen out. But just wait and see lah. Meanwhile, listen to my speech which says absolutely the same thing : I don’t know what is happening !”
wui
Pay Attention People, Practically All Places, Propaganda Assured Papers, Prevent Accurate Perceptions. Politicians Astounding Payrises, Plus Aplenty Perks, Provides Alluring Pleasures. People Aren’t Peasants! Police Aren’t Parents! Please Arise People. Party Approved Policies; Pretentious And Patronizing.
Pain And Poverty, Pressures Amongst Populace.
Praises And Pride, Pleasures Amongst Powerful. Peers, Adolescents, Parents Please Arise People Please Arise Prepared.
yaya
Folks,, the garhmen already wash their hands on the true blue native singaporeans already lah, they are now only focusing on the new fresh blood which is the ft inside and outside liao. pls wake up, all true blue singaporeans!
We have been all sold out by our pappies liao. they have already earned their million dollars.. and they want some more some more… nobody will ever find money no enough wan, more money more better!!!
COME ON! STAND UP AND WAKE UP FROM YOUR SLUMBER , AND PLAY YOUR TRUE ROLE AS A SINGAPORE CITIZEN HERE … PROTEST!!! VOTE THEM OUT!! WE WANT CHANGE!!! WE WANT CHANGE!!! WE WANT REFORM!!! WE WANT NEW GOVT!!
KICK ALL THIS PIGS OUT!!!
Andrew Michael Teo
There are a lot more conflicting policies if one decides to scrutinize further.
wakemeupearly
It really does NOT matter what the PAP says.
All you need to remember is there is only one old man who is in charge and whose words count ONLY.
That old man is HELL BENT on getting the population to top up to 6 million people. As long as he is alive, we will see that happen no matter what economic cycle we are in.
Do you DAFT Sporeans get it or not?
wakemeupearly
This Gan “in group” coinage is rubbish lah.
The PRs and those on employment pass and workers permits here REMIT money home to their motherlands in USA, Europe, China, India, Philippines, Vietnam etc. So do the MNCs that employ them, HQ audit will require them to declare their profit/loss under HQ’s account.
So how much money remains in Spore anyway?
show the listing
Aiyoh, very easy to find out lah and they do not have to waste their time & energy to explain so much.
For a start, just churn out the listing for the nos. of pink IC, blue IC holders and the different permit holders from ICA & MOM, breakdown by years lah. High tech computer system right ?
Definitely, they do not need 56 man years to churn out this.
Masak roti
one guy said as long as no corruption, they should continue.
i like to ask him :
1. do you know the pricings of HDB flats?
2. do you know what u don’t know?
The Jackal
The manpower policy is not the only one that is conflicting. There are others too, such as the CPF. Have a closer look.
sweeney 38
The invasion of the “new arrivals” into our land, is truly a nightmare!
These so-called “talents” are most favoured and protected by the DAFT regime.
Priorities in housing and jobs are offered to them, instead of true blue Singaporeans.
Ungrateful, corrupted bunch of stupid, crazy PAP, must be put out of action!
Do yourselves, your children a favour and ………..VOTE OUT PAP!!!
New Era
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP_fas_XueU&feature=player_embedded
Singaporeans are demanding for change.
Change is the only solution to all our problems.
The Jackal
People Amortization Party ?
People Arrogant Party
The fat GAN’s “ingroup” statement is simply rubbish. I just don’t get it, he is simply confusing himself and using slogan like Lim Swee Say to fool everyone.
Skuker
I always dream of being able to tap onto all my CPF for important needs.
Alas, i woke up and realise, i am living in reality.
prettyplace
Tha is why, I once wrote a comment on Innvotaive Index. We should have had one for foriegners.
Everthing being equal, I can see only 1 thing. Election is coming. The confusion is going on.
‘ Feel You’re Singaporean Effect” is taking place.
The diffence between PR’s & Singaporean line being drawn.
Less foriegner more productivity talk will go on.
My friend went to the CDC to get help for a taxi licence. Lo & Behold, no help. He has to get everything done on his own. Bull shit after bullshit will be thrown from now onwards.
I just hope TOC diseminates and disects all the facts and nonsense to keep us informed.
And another thing Gan, just did not know how he has contridicted himself. You should be a politician to know what you say and how it can be read, but he was hand pecked. How will he know.
prettyplace
#wui..what a good one.
Tear Down or Tears Down
Guys and Gals, there is really only 1 thing we can do.
Our future lies in this last chance for change.
I will do my part.
We must make it happen.
There is no other way.
I take this personally.
CrowdedHouse
The Jackal , Feb 9, 2010 22:24 – People Amortization Party ?
Another one – Pui And Pui !!!
Truth be said
I believe the government is now aware of the unhappiness from the ground and they are trying to reassure the people that they are doing something about it. However, I am afraid that is about it. The thing about raising prices for education, medical care, etc, so that PRs and foreigners have to pay more than the locals is sort of like a knee jerk reaction to the growlings from the ground. And it would seem this policy is aimed at getting more foreigners to sign up for citizenship. The question we have to ask is why only now when foreigners have been flooding the country for the last 10-15 years? Surely, our capable government should have thought about the negative reactions.
In a big way, we are where we are today because of how the government run the country – like running a company. In an company, the top people always get the fattest pay and enjoy the best perks. Afterall, they are the ones who decide how much to reward themselves. And like any company, the bottom line is the most important thing. In order to increase profits and lower costs, one of the easiest thing to do is the lower manpower costs. I am sure you can figure out the rest of the story.
We must recognise that it may be neccessary to bring in foreigners to fill up jobs typically shun by Singaporeans. And I am sure we need some foriegners with specialized skills/knowledge that Singaporeans lack. The worrying thing is that we get foreigners coming here as students, construction workers, executives, managers and CEOs. Foreigners can be found practically at every level of the job market. You name it and we’ve got them. And we have them abundantly.
I can’t help but wonder if the government is desperate and running out of ideas as to how to grow the economy.
barney
it really seems as though they’re pointing the finger at us for the influx of foreign workers.
and since they’re running this place like a corporation, then they should practice what they preach. the well being of their people contribute significantly to the bottom line. what have they done to increase productivity? what are the incentives? retention strategies? reward & recognition schemes? talent management? work-life balance? singaporeans are among those in the world who work the longest but earn the least compared to 1st world nations.
they think threats (i.e the stick) will “spur” us to greater success. to them, the ends justify the means. we’re in the 21st century; the workforce demographic has changed. but the human capital policies of the current govt has not. they want us to be independent workers, but they are terrible managers who micro-manage and contradict themselves and demonstrate poor communication skills.
as an ‘employer of choice’, i think the incumbent govt has failed MISERABLY.
we need a pro-active govt, not a reactionary one that resorts to threats and ultimatums to “encourage” their people.
please do not be fooled by their sweet words of deception and trickery.
alamakwhome?
[i]please do not be fooled by their sweet words of deception and trickery[/i]
sweet words? even if they offered an expired ferari rochel chokoLATE..its alread too damn late..as for this gan fellow..he should be GUN down…don’t evn know what he is mubblin about…
theforgottongeneration
BTW, who is in charge of productivity over these years? PM LHL should do the right thing and SACK the bugger immediately. Or is he forever shielding his ministers as in WKS for the MSK issue?
I hope the opposition can press for an answer in parliament. C’mon Opposition candiates, show us some representation of the ground feeling. Even a 10-year-old knows how to ask such questions.
wow
there just too many ministers without specific portfolio and giving conflicting signals. Let us aim to trim the cabinet and save the monies for better usage. Cut these portfolios – MM Lee, SM Goh, SM Jeyakumar, PMO Lim Swee Say, Lim Boon Heng, Lim Hwee Hwa….. and maybe with a streamlined cabinet, the voices will be clearer.
wui
Prejudices Amidst Politicians, Perpetuating Anger, Pain.
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Conflicting signals from Government over foreign manpower policy | Sgpolitics.net
[...] This article was originally written for The Online Citizen. [...]
Md Muneer
Yes. We grew and expanded our economy rapidly. Yes we grew faster than our neighbours. Now it seems that in our haste to “grow” up we realise that we’ve been relying too much on foreign talents. This is a simple case of “Buy now! Pay later”. We wanted quick results but is this the goal we wanted to achieve. Sometimes its better to take our time and build a solid foundation before we think bout reaching for the stars. So what do we do now?
Plan A: Ship them all back home. (How do we do this? And if we do will we be able to survive?)
Plan B: Let them come and stay and eventually we lose our identities and S’pore becomes a colony of China, India and some other foreign country?
Lets just ponder for a minute shall we? If we had expanded our economy at a slower rate we may have had the chance to take time a plan and calibrate our growth to be positive for our people in both the materialistic and social aspect.
So what were we all rushing for?
kr
Muneer: “Yes. We grew and expanded our economy rapidly. Yes we grew faster than our neighbours. Now it seems that in our haste to “grow” up we realise that we’ve been relying too much on foreign talents. This is a simple case of “Buy now! Pay later”. We wanted quick results but is this the goal we wanted to achieve. Sometimes its better to take our time and build a solid foundation before we think bout reaching for the stars.”
Ditto.
There are some important things to nation-building that require time too. Sure, the govt did very well, fantastic, bravo, etc etc with regards to the economic aspect, but what about cultural and national identity? I think Singaporeans are still having an identity crisis. Which cultural identity is still limited by ethnical boundaries, national identity is merely defined as a mash-up of three cultures. Harmony is forced and artificial. People are viewed as economic commodities rather than human, breathing citizens. Sometimes I wonder if in the govt’s strife for economic success they’ve forgotten the human aspect of nation-building.
All is lip service coming from headless chickens.
Except for the oldest cock that only foretells the future, but does not do any work.
Vote out this Mess. Vote Protest. Vote out PAP.