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SINGAPORE: The issue of foreign workers in Singapore was raised again in Parliament during the budget debate on Thursday (February 25), and MPs on both sides of the aisle spoke on the matter.
Non-constituent MP Leong Mun Wai (PSP) said there was an “urgent need” to rebalance the mix of local foreign workers in Singapore’s labor market.
He suggested that the government “level the playing field” for Singaporean workers by imposing a monthly tax of S $ 1,200 on holders of an employment pass. This will address the “salary disadvantage” that Singaporeans have due to contributions to the Central Provident Fund, he said.
“This tax will differentiate true foreign talent … from foreign talents who are simply cheap labor competing unfairly with our Singaporeans and on whom our economy has become too dependent,” he said.
State Minister for Manpower Gan Siow Huang said Leong’s party has the right to say that the mix of foreign and local workers should be rebalanced, but the government has a different view.
“I cannot help but conclude that Mr. Leong and PSP do not believe that Singapore should be an open city connected to the world where locals and foreigners complement each other, and he wants Singapore to close so that the main jobs. only for Singaporeans, ”he said.
Responding to his suggestion to impose a tax on EP holders, he said: “A blanket tax on EP holders is a signal to foreign investors that we do not welcome them to bring their own talent.”
Denying that PSP wants Singapore to shut down, Leong again raised the issue of having a Singaporean CEO for local banks and asked, “What is MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) doing?”
Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung, who is a member of the MAS board, also intervened, saying that he had already covered what MAS has done to cultivate local talent in the financial industry in an earlier debate.
“We always want there to be a menu that says we get all jobs but no competition, but I’m sorry that there is no such menu. The menu is open, more competition, but we develop capacities and we can take advantage of more opportunities, ”he said.
WORKING CONDITIONS OF LOW-SALARY JOBS
MP Leon Perera (WP-Aljunied) noted that in many industries such as construction, Singapore relies more on foreign labor than other developed countries.
“It is necessary to ensure a strong core of trained and capable Singaporeans in key industries. It is also desirable to encourage the transfer of skills from foreigners to locals. ”
Noting that the progressive wage model will be implemented for more industries, Perera emphasized that even if wages are increased, many Singaporeans may not want to accept lower-wage jobs due to poor working conditions.
“Are workers in this role provided with the right tools, protective equipment and training? Are the mandatory working hours and breaks sufficient? Are working conditions as comfortable and physically safe as in other countries? Is the culture in the workplace sufficiently respectful of the worker? ” I ask.
MP-nominee Raj Joshua Thomas, president of the Singapore Security Association and director of a security company, also addressed the working conditions of lower-paid workers such as cleaners and security officers.
He expressed concern about the provision of rest areas and better working hours for contract workers.
Employers should also ensure that workers at their site only need to perform the tasks for which they were deployed and trained, he said, citing the security guard who died in 2015 after falling down an elevator shaft while trying to open doors. of the elevator.
MINIMUM SALARY
Deputy Gerald Giam (WP-Aljunied) repeated the Workers’ Party’s call for a national minimum wage, proposed for the first time at S $ 1,300 in net pay per month.
He called for recognition of essential workers in 3D jobs – dirty, dangerous and difficult – which “have turned out to be more essential than some administrative jobs.”
“With restrictions on the supply of foreign workers and the reluctance of many locals to accept 3D jobs, the demand for workers in these occupations often exceeds their supply. According to the law of supply and demand, the wages of these workers should naturally rise to reach a higher equilibrium price ”, he added.
“In practice, however, many of their salaries remain painfully low. This is partly due to the structure of our industries and partly because our society does not esteem them highly enough. This is a market failure, ”said Mr. Giam, adding that the state must intervene to ensure that workers’ income matches their value in society.
OLDER WORKERS
Several MPs also spoke about the employment of older people and other vulnerable workers.
While initiatives such as special job credit and the Retirement and Reemployment Act have been introduced, there are still older people who want to work but are struggling to get a suitable and suitable job, said MP Tin Pei Ling (PAP-MacPherson).
“Unfortunately age discrimination is quite entrenched in Singapore, despite an aging workforce, the age discrimination mindset can be found in many work settings,” he added.
“Negative stereotypes about older people, who are slower, weaker, more rigid, less productive, can significantly hamper the deployment of valuable human resources and discourage development even while promoting lifelong learning.”
Ms Tin suggested that the government pressure companies to review their human resource policies so that discussion about re-employment with their senior workers is standard operating procedure.
MP Yip Hon Weng (PAP-Yio Chu Kang) made similar points, saying Singapore is an aging society and workplaces must adapt to accommodate older people or they will soon face a job crisis.
He suggested that the government help promote the creation of “micro-jobs” that allow older people to work part-time by offering search and listing platforms that match supply and demand.
During the COVID-19 “circuit breaker”, many workers with special needs struggled to find alternative roles, said Deputy Cheryl Chan (PAP-Fengshan).
“For this community, the biggest shock they face goes beyond income, as the routine was abruptly interrupted. With the mental state of many of them inevitably marked, with the new and future economy, can we find new ways for more micro jobs to be created for adults with special needs? ”
WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE
Several female MPs spoke about how the Budget affects women in Singapore and shared their views on how to better support and empower women.
A main issue they addressed was support for caregivers, many of whom are women.
“Our women often play an important role as caregivers in our families, and we want to support them in caring for their loved ones,” said Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Education, Sun Xueling.
She stressed that the Government is increasing spending in the early childhood sector and has expanded preschool capacity to help provide care options for women when they return to work.
In elaborating on the Inclusive Support Program, she said that while there are government-funded early intervention services for young children with developmental needs, parents find it difficult to move their children between preschool and a separate center for early intervention.
The program to integrate intervention programs in preschools will be piloted in some schools, he said.
Tin said there is a need to digitally empower women to take advantage of job opportunities in a digitized economy.
He suggested introducing more scholarships and educational awards to encourage girls to study technology and related subjects in school and create business environments that are “enabling” for men and women with family commitments, among others.
“We have gems hidden within our female population, waiting to be discovered or a chance to shine,” she said.
