1 in 2 S'poreans in workforce is a professional

Wednesday, Oct 12, 2011
my paper



By Reico Wong

Singaporeans have become more educated and highly skilled over the past 10 years, with nearly one in two citizens landing jobs as professionals, managers, executives and technicians last year.

The average monthly household income through work per household member climbed 20 per cent - or 1.8 per cent per year - in real terms from 2000 to last year. The Government hopes to boost this trend, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said yesterday. Its priority is to ensure that Singaporeans secure good jobs, develop higher skill levels and enjoy sustained increases in incomes in the coming decade.

Manpower Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said: "We are shifting to quality, rather than increases in the workforce, as the basis of growth."


That is because the growth of the resident workforce will slow and the proportion of younger workers will decline, he said.

Mr Tharman unveiled MOM's long-term plans yesterday in the addenda to the President's address. They will provide a framework for debate at the next session of Parliament on Monday.

He promised that efforts will be made to ensure that Singaporeans have ample opportunities to develop their careers, even as the economy remains welcoming to both businesses and talent from abroad.

At the same time, the push to achieve 2 to 3 per cent growth in productivity per year must be continued, he said, along with promoting a passion for lifelong learning in order to increase real incomes for Singaporeans.

More attention will be placed on the low-income and older Singaporeans, he said, adding that the Government will review the Workfare schemes and the Central Provident Fund (CPF) contribution rates for older workers.

An earlier announcement of the review of the CPF scheme, including a possible increase in employers' contribution rates, provoked concern among employers worried about higher business costs and the loss of competitiveness.

But older workers like Mr Mohamed Hessan, a senior technician at the National University Hospital, welcomed the news.

"It will mean that I will have more money to tide me over during retirement, and for me to leave to my two daughters if I'm not around," said the 55-year- old.

Mr Tharman also said yesterday that MOM will amend the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act to hold employers and other stakeholders more accountable for basic employment standards and the well-being of foreign workers.

A "holistic" review of Singapore's foreign domestic-worker policies will also be conducted, he said.

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-Ref: mypaper news
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