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Under the new rules, the new ratio in the service sector is 10:1, whereas under the old guidelines it was 5:1.
Furthermore, to qualify for a new lower levy under the new rules, these work permit holders must have a diploma. Does it make sense to expect lowly paid work permit holders (foreign workers) to have a diploma? If they did, would they want to work for such low wages, doing jobs shunned by Singaporeans for low monthly incomes of $600 to $800.
The problem came about because of fussy Singaporeans who do not want to take on many jobs. Recently, The Sunday Times reported on 10 jobs shunned by Singaporeans. In truth, it is more like 50 to 60 jobs which Singaporeans shun nowadays, including the following, just to name a few:
- Toilet cleaners
- Maids
- Construction workers
- Void-deck cleaners
- Gardeners (landscape technicians)
- Wet market stall holders or workers
- Hawker assistants
- Butchers
- Abattoir workers
- Funeral home workers
- Hospital attendants
- Petrol-pump attendants
- Garbage collectors
- Manufacturing or assembly line workers
The list goes on – any jobs that are so-called ‘hot and dirty’ will be rejected.
So where does that leave us? Singaporeans are too fussy, proud, dignified, qualified or whatever to do many jobs – in fact, some Singaporeans would rather be jobless than take on certain jobs, even when employers are willing to pay a premium of up to 40 per cent. There are simply no takers. Period.
Even for administrative jobs, Singaporeans refuse jobs they feel may be too far from their home or not near an MRT station. Likewise, they reject if they are required to work on weekends, do shift work, wear a uniform or serve customers.
As employers we receive many applications from Myanmar, the Philippines and even as far away as India for every job vacancy advertised.
Given that Singaporeans are extremely picky and fussy, even during this downturn, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and multinational companies (MNCs) need foreign workers in order to run and operate businesses here. It would help greatly if MOM could make the quota system less onerous and more business-friendly.
It would also decrease incidents of ‘phantom workers’ if MOM could relax the guidelines and revert to the more pro-business ratio of 5:1 in the service and retail sectors.
A survey of SME and MNC bosses or personnel in charge of recruitment will reveal how difficult the situation is, where businesses desperately need workers but cannot find them due to these onerous new quota restrictions.
Spenser Tan
Related posts:
When the pay is too low! How do you expect Singaporean to live in this high cost country. $600 to $800 is an insult!
We don’t beg for a job but there must be certain dignity!
Understand the Darwin theory of Survial of fittest! The law of jungle! Demand and Supply Theory! Else MNC will earned huge Profit and Move Away!
Have some respect for Ordinary Singaporean!
Quek
Hi agreed with you on that.
Some bosses are just too fussy also.
They want to employ young employees below age 35 to work for 10 hours a day for them with 7 days of leave and only $800 a month…
On the other side of the coin, certain prospective employers are simply fussy. Some will pay minimum and expect maximum work.
General Singaporeans are simply seeking for jobs that can grow and survive in this high living standard. It is pointless to work for a low salary that hardly survive.
Most Spore employers only want to make large profits hence they will to pay only peanuts to employees whether they are FWs or locals. Many just want to employ the younger ones. It is not that Singaporeans are simply fussy etc. Employers must be fair and realistic. Pay them decent salary so that they can survive and enjoy a decent standard of living in our high cost country.
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