Labour Issues in Singapore

It is no secret that most developed countries face labour issues, i.e. foreign labour issues, local labour issues, productivity issues...  Singapore is no exception...

Most Singaporeans do not take actions with regards to issues that concern their ability to hold jobs in their own country for a variety of reasons.  Some already have a job but complains that it doesn't pay as well... Some have a job but complains the stress level of the job is too high... Some complain about foreign workforces taking over their jobs, either because they lost one to them or just trying say it out for others...  Others are just speaking in broad general terms about influx of foreign labour because the numbers are increasing...

In recent years in Singapore, I noticed that the media has become increasingly opened and freedom of open speech and criticism has gradually become less of a taboo in our country.  This is a good thing for Singapore; although being truly democratic has potential issues, but learning to trust the peoples' point of view is part of being a democratic country.

On the subject of Labour Issues in Singapore, I would like to share my thoughts on this matter.

First and foremost, I would like to point out that we are not living in the ages of our forefathers anymore.  We can longer follow their footsteps and expect it to be enough for our future generations.  Singapore has gotten globalize and modernize (thanks to our founding fathers and forefathers); but it is up to us to bring it to a next level (whatever that might be).  That said, I am not saying that we shouldn't learn from our forefathers, we MUST learn their dedication, commitment and resolve that brought us to where we are now and NEVER forget that.

Where are we now?
Singaporeans generally get a good education; a good portion of Singaporeans have a degree or beyond, majority have at least basic education that enables literacy and knowledge seeking skills.  Public housing is significantly better than when our country first started out.  Our populations income level has risen to a level where the balance in middle class is a majority ironing our much of the poverty which are still plaguing a number developed countries so far.

What's wrong with us now then?
With Singapore's growing living standards, it must be said it is definitely an upward struggle with trying to live the 'Singapore Dream' (if there ever was one).  But this is with all developed nations.  My conclusion is there is generally nothing wrong with Singapore per say.  But there might be something terrible wrong with the way Singaporean perceive themselves (myself included).

Brought up in a system where we are 'encouraged' to pursue a university degree or else (being threatened) that we will be left behind...  That mindset seems to have a domino effect to all rungs of society in Singapore.

From there, I can elaborate on our Labour issues.
1.  Singapore society (business) requires competitiveness to survive locally.  Hence, the more costly to do business, the more likely the business will not thrive.  Labour force is still a large part of fulfilling business needs.
1.1  Basic jobs, i.e. Operational level jobs.  Singaporeans with a high level education will be over qualified; hence even those who are willing to do it will not get a 'accepted' wage.  Comparative to foreign labour, they are significantly cheaper than the local workforce, they are arguably more hardworking and diligent.
1.2.  Mid level jobs, i.e. Service & administrative jobs.  Bulk of the Singaporean population may be in this category and with the reasons above are afraid of their jobs being 'taken' over the foreign labour workforce.
1.3  Specialty job, i.e. RnD, Manangement, Entrepreneurs.  Supposedly where Singaporeans should be able to excel in this because of knowledge of our country and landscape.  But more and more I see a trend where top talents from other countries are entering Singapore.

Problems?
Personally, I don't see any major problems with Singapore's way of handling Labour Issues.

2.1  Labour issues on Basic jobs.
Lets face some hard facts.  There are not enough Singapore low cost labour to tackle some of the labour intensive jobs, i.e. Construction, Waste handling, Ship Building, etc... And Singaporeans shun away from such jobs.  Hence MOM, though strict on foreign labour policy, is cornered to allow foreign workforce presence.

The day that Singaporeans could replace that level of workforce, as well as technology could replace low cost workers, that will be the day that low cost foreign labour may be tackled.  But with the pace of the industry and the cost pressures, I doubt that day will come soon.

2.2 Labour issues on Mid level jobs.
Put it in this way.  If Singaporeans could reflect on their competitiveness compared with their foreign labour counterparts, it would definitely make it tougher for them to compete with Singaporeans as Singapore is not their native country and Singaporeans would still have an edge over foreign labour.  However, if that is a just an issued that is dealt as a complaint level and Singaporeans waiting for 'someone else' to tackle the problem for them, then it might turn out that the other way.

Singapore's current policy is allow incoming foreign citizens to be Singapore citizens isn't such a bad idea.  They are coming into our country trying to make a living; but they will also have live in Singapore which means spending money and contributing to Singapore.  Its no free lunch...

3.3  Labour issues Specialty job.
This worries me the most actually.  If Singaporeans always remain in the level of being comfortable with where they are, we will not be able to contain this and risk being overtaken by foreign labour and talents.

*To be continued.