Discussion Forum

In some ways I agree with you. I have a Filipino friend who tried to look for a job in Singapore because the boyfriend is in Singapore. She wasn’t very successful in her initial job hunt. In the end, she was hired…. by her boyfriend’s company. While I am happy for her (because she is a friend), I also can’t help but feel that foreign nationals favour their own kind.. especially when my friend’s previous profession is vastly different from the job that she got in her boyfriend’s company.
 
Yet I also hear of Singaporean friends and relatives who work in SMEs complaining that they just can’t find Singaporeans to apply for jobs when they advertise. They get plenty of applications from foreigners, but none from Singaporeans. And such job openings range from waitressing to architect positions. So what do companies in such situations do?
 
Tackling immigration issues is but one factor. The question employers face is also where are the Singaporean workers? I had asked some of them.. is it because what they were offering too low a salary.. and they tell me, if there are no Singaporean applicant applying, there are none they can call up for interviews.. how to even offer anything.

I super agree...the damage already done long time ago that leads to a lot of issues down the road. Now even closing the gates and still have loop holes...is already too late...better late than never....but a lot of damage done...and is going to take many years to put it right...and many have lost their "younger years"..and cannot reverse back and the damage is permanent. And there will be a lot of trouble down the road.

Dear Guest,

Thank you for your posting.

We refer to the posting to the thread titled "Differences between Employment Pass and S Pass" on the REACH website dated 6 Aug 2012, 5.12PM. We have kept the relevant agencies informed on your feedback and they would like to contact you for more details on your feedback. Hence, we would appreciate it if you could provide us with your contact details and email address via email to reach@reach.gov.sg for follow-up.

Kindly attention the email to Ling by indicating in the subject "(To Ling) Discussion Thread: Differences between Employment Pass and S Pass".

Thank you and looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards
Ling (REACH Administrator)

There may not be an error  ( total ) in the issuance of 50K of EP.

50K per year for 10 years is still a meagre 500K increase in population. This is something Singapore should still be able to handle.

I still think that the larger increase is still at the low end spectrum.

Some of these new EPs may be entreperneurs and a small startup could easily employ another 5 - 10 workers. If a 50% ratio is used, you get a 2.5x to 5x factor for every EP. That will translate to around 125K 250K increase per year.

So it seems to substantiate the theory the EPs are generating more employment opportunities.

Productivity is the concern. Under Gan KY, a productivity improvement was moving underneath along with the increase is population. They knew then that GDP growth based on population gained is not sustainable and is trying hard to overcome the labour increase only gain. Unfortunately, the productivity movement was overshadowed and cheap labour is still the only thing on the minds of the bosses. Moreover, the ability to push foreign workers to limit like over time and underpay makes companies prefer foreign workers to the more "choosy" locals who wanted more pay, more family time and less willing to work outside normal duties. The pressure from the short term thinking bosses thus tilt the balance and practically forces MOM to comply or otherwise threaten with a lower growth.

Many of these short term thinking bosses are still around, all out to reap the maximum profits. Unless the government have enough guts to go against these rich and powerful, the situation is unlikely to ever change.

Agree . . .they only WANT QUANTITY at the expense of quality!!

Want so many foreigners. . . . but 80% of low quality.

Want so many foreign kids. . . . but our school system cannot support 45 students per class.

Want so many foreign students on scharships . . . but only 50% of them score above average.

Want so many train lines . ..  but train rides of low service quality.

Want so many bicyclist . . . but pedestrains have to give way to selfish rider.

    You forgot. . . even the PAP is over-filled out of the brim, with all sorts of Ministers, but for the past 6 years, not proven desirable nor concrete results.