tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249142036245875345.post1423548325062954902..comments2022-11-01T19:09:29.708+08:00Comments on News Clips: FOREIGN WORKERS DEBATEUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249142036245875345.post-64742990961246136882012-09-16T19:15:37.515+08:002012-09-16T19:15:37.515+08:00The current foreign workers policy takes the easy ...The current foreign workers policy takes the easy populist approach for a blanket restriction instead of showing any true thought leadership in formulating the right policy. MOM should study on what jobs Singaporeans are best suited for and to cater the policies to “deliver” these jobs to Singaporeans instead. Current policies is skewed to preserve low-end jobs for us instead. We have a first class education system and a highly educated labor force that is best suited for high value-added roles. A more tailored policy is needed and not a blanket policy across the board:<br /><br />(1) Exemptions from the foreign worker quota on first 10 employees <br /><br />Very useful for the survival of the SMEs, especially companies starting out in their early years. The first 10 or so employees are generally in low-end manual tasks jobs, not the kind that Singaporeans should specialize in. MOM’s argument for automation is not applicable here as these basic manual roles that cannot be economically replaced at the huge cost of automation.<br /><br />(2) Dependency ratio (DR) should be tiered:<br /><br />(a) Lower DR for lower paid jobs and higher for higher paid jobs, instead of the opposite currently (i.e. high DR at WP / S-Pass levels but ZERO restriction at E-Pass levels). Current system seems to encourage hiring Singaporeans for lower paying jobs and foreigners for higher paying jobs!<br /><br />(b) The DR should be highest for jobs that Singaporeans are best suited for.<br /><br />(c) Dependency ratio should be higher for larger companies. This will be fair as SMEs starting out should be given supports to grow; and once the company is large enough, it should then bear a higher burden to support the local labor market. Also MOM's argument to automate will become applicable for these larger companies that have the economies of scale to justify the cost of automation. The same cannot be said for SMEs that have yet to achieve the economies of scale needed.<br /> <br />(3) Higher DR to apply for foreign companies / companies owned by foreign shareholders<br /><br />For foreigners to set up here and benefit from our infrastructure, it is only fair that they ensure maximum employment of our locals rather than to “import” their expatriate workers here. This concept is similar to current tax system where foreigners are taxed differently from locals.<br /><br />(4) Exemptions to apply at the highest level to ensure Singapore remain an open economy to attract the crucial talent for the continued growth of Singapore’s economy.<br /><br />The Govt repeatedly argued that it crucial for Singapore to continue to attract foreign talents to ensure continued growth of our economy. This is very valid point. Therefore, the foreign worker quota should not apply at the very high salary jobs (e.g. above $8,000 pm). Singaporeans who at these levels are already more than capable to compete on equal grounds with global talents; and furthermore the benefits from ensuring the best candidates to fill these jobs will far outweigh the costs when it comes to jobs at such high level.<br /><br />These are just some general ideas to better structure the foreign manpower policies. As our Government is filled with very intelligent people with impressive academic background and experience, I am sure they should be able to come up with a more comprehensive policy to truly deliver on the true objective here. Perhaps it is time that they show some thought leadership in formulating policies rather than not merely to adopt the simple populist approach that only pay "lip service" to the demand of the people but fall short on delivering the true outcome that we Singaporeans want.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14995799190026644321noreply@blogger.com