I REFER to media reports on the rise in the number of chronically unemployed.
For some time, reports have focused on a declining unemployment rate which has stabilised at a seasonally-adjusted 3.3 per cent for two straight quarters.
Singaporeans have been told to be flexible in job hunting, and that retraining would help in solving the structural-unemployment predicament here.
The repeated emphasis has been on the labour market but many international reports have confirmed that we have one of the best workforces in the commercial world.
I am in my 40s and have taken a longer period than usual to find re-employment. In the process, I have met many other Singaporeans at walk-in interviews and career talks and at community development councils.
Based on anecdotal evidence, the number of jobless Singaporeans is likely to be higher than that suggested by statistics.
Many have given up searching for work after months of looking, while others are compelled to take up a course under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience.
The latter group are not included in the calculation of those who are chronically jobless, but they could similarly have been futile in efforts to find work.
After all, not many employers would stray from their dated and conventional hiring practices. Some of them need retraining in the latest management methods and strategies to change their mindsets.
Take, for example, earlier reports from the integrated resorts that not many Singaporeans were applying for their numerous positions. Yet, with help from the National Trades Union Congress and the SingaporeWorkforce Development Agency, the number of applicants eventually exceeded the vacancies available.
We are fortunate that the Government has been proactive, coming up with practical measures like the Jobs Credit Scheme, which helps businesses where it matters most and rewards the hiring of Singaporeans. But, despite many government measures and labour legislation in the works, there are still many reports of employers who have “phantom” workers on their payroll, in order to hire more foreigners.
Many business owners are fixated on this one component – lowering labour cost to maximise profit, with few attempts to increase productivity and quality by negotiating rent and considering other funding sources,
new training techniques, management methods and the use of technology. No wonder, then, that labour
productivity has been declining. To be fair, there are employers who look into these other strategies, but they are few and far between.
McDonald’s, Prima and Bodynits are some companies which have taken the opportunity to retain and retrain mature employees, and hire those outside their industry to tap into their experience. The number of job seekers
who had been looking for work for at least 25 weeks had risen year-on-year from 9,500 last June to 25,800 in June.
I am concerned about the growing number of Singaporeans, especially those above 40, who may fall under the “radar” and may not be captured in statistical reports. So, while retrenchment slows and the economy shows signs of recovery, it is timely to acknowledge, redefine and face up to real unemployment figures. This will enable government planners to design and develop effective solutions to address the dire needs of the unemployed.
With distorted data presented to investors, business owners and analysts, resources may not be effectively directed to resolving the jobless situation. It will be detrimental and counter-productive to go into denial
mode and maintain one single definition of unemployment, given our small working and ageing population.
Mr James Ang
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