The following article was published in the Straits Times on 28 Jan 2010.
No enclaves allowed
By Kenny Chee
Straits Times
28/01/2010
NEW Singaporeans, regardless of the country they originated from, will be dispersed to prevent enclaves from forming within public housing estates, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said yesterday.
"We are not allowing new Singaporeans, whether from China, India, Malaysia (or other countries) to congregate in the same block, which they are already beginning to do," he said.
Preventing new citizens from congregating is important for communal harmony, explained MM Lee at a dialogue held at the International Housing Conference, held at Suntec Singapore to mark the Housing Board's 50th anniversary.
He was replying to a question on whether efforts have been made to integrate new Singaporeans, just like how measures had been put in place to help the various races here build social ties.
To prevent ethnic enclaves from forming, a cap had been placed on the number of Singaporeans and permanent residents of each race who can live in each housing estate.
But there is no cap on the number of new citizens and permanent residents who can live in a housing estate at this time, said the HDB.
It said that it might consider a cap for permanent residents.
MM Lee noted that Singapore has grown in the last five years by importing labour, but Singaporeans have grown uncomfortable with the inflow of foreigners.
The answer is to check the flow of foreigners and raise productivity in Singapore, he said, echoing the comments made by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong this week.
Over the next five years, the Government will start to scale down Singapore's need for foreign workers, he said.
He added that the Government will help to pay for continual training and education.
Employers will probably co- pay to help send their employees for training to improve their skills, he said.
Singapore can achieve this difficult task, but it could take decades, he added.
On whether the private sector could play a more active role in housing here, MM Lee said that the Government has brought in the private sector to help build new housing estates.
But private developers would not be able to undertake the social responsibility that the Government has taken on, he said.
For instance, private developers would not sell homes below market price. Nor will they be committed to consistently invest in and improve existing housing estates, unlike the Government.
MM Lee also said that the Government cannot develop more HDB rental flats at subsidised rental rates.
The Government's policy has been to give Singaporeans a home to own and look after, and whose value will rise as the surroundings improve with upgrading and a growing economy, he said.
In some other countries, where public housing can only be rented, it ends up becoming run-down, he said.
Earlier, at the opening of the conference yesterday, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said that in the long term, the Government's programme of home ownership has to be "financially sustainable" for the Government and flat buyers.
He said that, over the years, through financial prudence and targeted allocation of housing subsidies, the public-housing budget has been kept within 1 per cent of Singapore's gross domestic product.
In contrast, 3.5 per cent of the country's GDP, or $8.7 billion, was set aside for the Government's education budget last year.
Mr Mah noted that HDB flats are affordable for Singaporeans.
Most Singaporeans – eight in 10 – who bought HDB flats last year were able to service their mortgages through their Central Provident Fund contributions without paying any cash, he pointed out.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Loan scheme for foreign workers
The following article was published in the Straits Times on 28 Jan 2010.
Loan scheme for foreign workers
By DAWN TAY
WANTED: Singaporeans willing to provide small loans to foreign workers here.
A new organisation, The Microfinance Society (Singapore), is studying ways to set up a novel microfinance system for foreign labourers and maids here.
It hopes to build a platform for Singaporeans to provide micro loans to foreign workers and maids in financial emergencies or who may want to start a small business back home.
Its president, Mr Vivek Jamwal, explained: "Currently, there are no credit facilities available to such workers here... We aim to plug that gap, to be there for them, and grant them the credit they might need."
When asked whether demand for such services exists, Transient Workers Count Too president John Gee told my paper that his organisation has come across various situations where workers would benefit from such loans.
For example, they would be handy for workers who have sustained injuries on the job, are tussling with their employers over compensation, and lack funds for immediate treatment.
Microfinance typically involves small sums of money, ranging from tens to hundreds of dollars, that are lent to those who are jobless, poor and unable to tap existing credit lines.
They use the money to start small businesses with which they pull themselves out of poverty. Pay-back rates of over 90 per cent have been cited by some reports.
The society's proposed system will have a novel feature: The money will be lent to workers who already have a steady income.
Foreign workers could be a "very attractive" group of borrowers as they are more able to pay back the loans, said Ms Sarah Mavrinac, the president of non-profit group Aidha.
Another microfinance organisation, Milaap.Org, was recently set up here to provide an online lending system – similar to that of popular website Kiva – to low-income entrepreneurs and communities in South and South-east Asia.
Singapore has the potential to become a microfinance hub for the region, but there are plenty of challenges, advocates said.
Milaap.Org founder Anoj Viswanathan said that Singapore benefits from "a strong regulatory and legal framework, access to quality financial and legal advisory services and a favourable ecosystem for technology start-ups".
Its proximity to "target markets" is a major advantage, as well as its high profile in developed countries, "which form the majority" of lenders, he added.
The challenges? Working out commercially viable interest rates and establishing a pay-back system for collecting money from the foreign workers, who often work full-time and have little spare time to make payment.
Industry experts here are split over whether a viable micro-loan system can be set up in a developed country like Singapore, where the cost of starting a business is relatively high and people have ready access to credit.
There has been no successful system here to date, said Institute of Policy Studies research fellow Lee Yoong Yoong.
The biggest reason was that "there was no organisation willing to champion the task of setting up a microfinance system here; they were concerned about its commercial viability", he said.
Last May, my paper reported that a growing number of Singaporeans are getting involved with global microfinance websites.
However, awareness here is still low, even though excitement over microfinance has gripped much of the developed world.
Singaporeans whom my paper spoke to were cautious, but also open to the idea of lending money to foreign workers.
One of them, freelance writer Goh Lin Li, 29, said: "I would make a loan if there is a stable and accountable organisation in place, and if it has a system set up to ensure that the emergencies are real and borrowers are intent on paying back."
Loan scheme for foreign workers
By DAWN TAY
WANTED: Singaporeans willing to provide small loans to foreign workers here.
A new organisation, The Microfinance Society (Singapore), is studying ways to set up a novel microfinance system for foreign labourers and maids here.
It hopes to build a platform for Singaporeans to provide micro loans to foreign workers and maids in financial emergencies or who may want to start a small business back home.
Its president, Mr Vivek Jamwal, explained: "Currently, there are no credit facilities available to such workers here... We aim to plug that gap, to be there for them, and grant them the credit they might need."
When asked whether demand for such services exists, Transient Workers Count Too president John Gee told my paper that his organisation has come across various situations where workers would benefit from such loans.
For example, they would be handy for workers who have sustained injuries on the job, are tussling with their employers over compensation, and lack funds for immediate treatment.
Microfinance typically involves small sums of money, ranging from tens to hundreds of dollars, that are lent to those who are jobless, poor and unable to tap existing credit lines.
They use the money to start small businesses with which they pull themselves out of poverty. Pay-back rates of over 90 per cent have been cited by some reports.
The society's proposed system will have a novel feature: The money will be lent to workers who already have a steady income.
Foreign workers could be a "very attractive" group of borrowers as they are more able to pay back the loans, said Ms Sarah Mavrinac, the president of non-profit group Aidha.
Another microfinance organisation, Milaap.Org, was recently set up here to provide an online lending system – similar to that of popular website Kiva – to low-income entrepreneurs and communities in South and South-east Asia.
Singapore has the potential to become a microfinance hub for the region, but there are plenty of challenges, advocates said.
Milaap.Org founder Anoj Viswanathan said that Singapore benefits from "a strong regulatory and legal framework, access to quality financial and legal advisory services and a favourable ecosystem for technology start-ups".
Its proximity to "target markets" is a major advantage, as well as its high profile in developed countries, "which form the majority" of lenders, he added.
The challenges? Working out commercially viable interest rates and establishing a pay-back system for collecting money from the foreign workers, who often work full-time and have little spare time to make payment.
Industry experts here are split over whether a viable micro-loan system can be set up in a developed country like Singapore, where the cost of starting a business is relatively high and people have ready access to credit.
There has been no successful system here to date, said Institute of Policy Studies research fellow Lee Yoong Yoong.
The biggest reason was that "there was no organisation willing to champion the task of setting up a microfinance system here; they were concerned about its commercial viability", he said.
Last May, my paper reported that a growing number of Singaporeans are getting involved with global microfinance websites.
However, awareness here is still low, even though excitement over microfinance has gripped much of the developed world.
Singaporeans whom my paper spoke to were cautious, but also open to the idea of lending money to foreign workers.
One of them, freelance writer Goh Lin Li, 29, said: "I would make a loan if there is a stable and accountable organisation in place, and if it has a system set up to ensure that the emergencies are real and borrowers are intent on paying back."
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Immigration on/off switch needs fine-tuning
The following article was published in the Straits Times on 26 Jan 2010.
Immigration on/off switch needs fine-tuning
By DAWN DEKLE, THANNEERMALAI LAKSHMANAN
The Straits Times
26/01/2010
IMMIGRATION is an especially sensitive subject in Singapore. Instead of viewing immigration as a tap, turning it on when the economy is booming and turning it off when there is a downturn, Singapore should consider other factors important for a successful immigration policy.
Immigration has accelerated in the Republic in the past few years, resulting in the population growing from 4.2 million in 2005 to five million now. In the same period, the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita grew from roughly US$28,000 (S$39,250) to US$38,000. Some estimates attribute two-thirds of this economic growth to immigrants, who contribute significantly to finance, high-tech industry and construction.
Singapore plans to increase its population to 6.5 million. But it faces some challenges in doing so. First, its fertility rate of 1.28 ranks among the bottom five worldwide. Second, its population is ageing; roughly 20 per cent will be over the age of 65 by 2030. Third, 6,000 to 7,000 Singaporeans leave every year to live and work overseas. Fourth, the global financial crisis has led to retrenchments of both skilled and unskilled foreign workers, who have since returned to their home countries. Fifth, many Singaporeans, even those recently retrenched, do not wish to take some jobs – requiring low skill levels, pay little and have long and sometimes unusual hours – that foreign workers are willing to do. All of the above factors are causing a labour shortage, and immigration is necessary to make up the shortfall or Singapore will risk losing its competitive edge.
However, there is much unease in the community about the influx of immigrants contributing to problems such as overcrowding in public transport, more littering and vandalism and an increase in petty crimes. All this is exacerbated by a lack of fluency in English among some immigrants. Further, many believe immigrants are taking jobs from Singaporeans, and even causing a housing bubble. There is also the perception that expatriates receive better employment packages and that employers are replacing older Singaporeans with younger, cheaper immigrants, especially from China and India. In addition, there are anecdotes of employers favouring immigrants since they do not have to take time off work to do reservist training.
Yet Singaporeans have traditionally not felt resentment towards immigrants and have, in fact, welcomed them. The concern now seems to be the increase in the number of immigrants from 10 per cent of the population in 1990 to 36 per cent now, and how this is changing the "face of Singapore". The United Nations 2009 Human Development Report ranked Singapore No. 10 in terms of the proportion of immigrants in the population.
One argument in favour of slowing down the immigration rate is the impact it has on low-income Singaporeans. But it is important to note that as immigration increased over the past few years, so has household income – though the lowest 20th percentile has admittedly had a slower growth rate than the rest. The Government has taken steps to address this problem, through income tax relief (lower income groups pay very little or no income tax), Workfare, ComCare, the Skills Redevelopment Programme and Skills Development Fund.
The growing income gap here is not due entirely to immigration. In Singapore, as well as in most of the developed world, there has been a shift from manufacturing (which needs many unskilled workers) to a knowledge-based and services economy (which needs many skilled workers). This change has resulted in a segment of society lagging behind others due to a mismatch in job skills.
Restricting immigration is not a viable option if Singapore is to keep up with the rest of the world. The key is to have safeguards to absorbs the "shocks" associated with immigration.
Immigration policy has not kept pace with the realities of day-to-day life in Singapore. It is a sensitive topic, but to move forward, all Singaporeans must grapple with this issue. As an example, various grassroots and self-help organisations, such as the Chinese Development Assistance Council, Mendaki, Sinda and National Integration Council, have offered assistance. They are helping immigrants to settle into the community, with the Government allocating $10 million to these integration efforts.
Singapore could consider applying the findings of some recent research on the factors contributing to successful immigration. The research indicates that the rate of immigration (not too many at once), the visibility of the immigrant groups (some degree of assimilation is critical), the timing of immigration (not during a recession but rather in a period of growth), and support of the political leadership, are all important factors in a viable immigration policy.
Immigration has reached a critical point here. If the proportion of immigrants in the population goes much beyond one-third, it could cause a backlash. However, stopping immigration abruptly will stifle Singapore's competitiveness. Changing the on/off setting of the immigration switch to a more nuanced, steady trickle, while addressing the concerns of Singaporeans, could provide the reassurance currently absent on the street.
The writers are from the S.P. Jain Center of Management.
Singapore could consider applying the findings of some recent research on the factors contributing to successful immigration. The research indicates that the rate of immigration (not too many at once), the visibility of the immigrant groups (some degree of assimilation is critical), the timing of immigration (not during a recession but rather in a period of growth), and support of the political leadership, are all important factors in a viable immigration policy.
Immigration on/off switch needs fine-tuning
By DAWN DEKLE, THANNEERMALAI LAKSHMANAN
The Straits Times
26/01/2010
IMMIGRATION is an especially sensitive subject in Singapore. Instead of viewing immigration as a tap, turning it on when the economy is booming and turning it off when there is a downturn, Singapore should consider other factors important for a successful immigration policy.
Immigration has accelerated in the Republic in the past few years, resulting in the population growing from 4.2 million in 2005 to five million now. In the same period, the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita grew from roughly US$28,000 (S$39,250) to US$38,000. Some estimates attribute two-thirds of this economic growth to immigrants, who contribute significantly to finance, high-tech industry and construction.
Singapore plans to increase its population to 6.5 million. But it faces some challenges in doing so. First, its fertility rate of 1.28 ranks among the bottom five worldwide. Second, its population is ageing; roughly 20 per cent will be over the age of 65 by 2030. Third, 6,000 to 7,000 Singaporeans leave every year to live and work overseas. Fourth, the global financial crisis has led to retrenchments of both skilled and unskilled foreign workers, who have since returned to their home countries. Fifth, many Singaporeans, even those recently retrenched, do not wish to take some jobs – requiring low skill levels, pay little and have long and sometimes unusual hours – that foreign workers are willing to do. All of the above factors are causing a labour shortage, and immigration is necessary to make up the shortfall or Singapore will risk losing its competitive edge.
However, there is much unease in the community about the influx of immigrants contributing to problems such as overcrowding in public transport, more littering and vandalism and an increase in petty crimes. All this is exacerbated by a lack of fluency in English among some immigrants. Further, many believe immigrants are taking jobs from Singaporeans, and even causing a housing bubble. There is also the perception that expatriates receive better employment packages and that employers are replacing older Singaporeans with younger, cheaper immigrants, especially from China and India. In addition, there are anecdotes of employers favouring immigrants since they do not have to take time off work to do reservist training.
Yet Singaporeans have traditionally not felt resentment towards immigrants and have, in fact, welcomed them. The concern now seems to be the increase in the number of immigrants from 10 per cent of the population in 1990 to 36 per cent now, and how this is changing the "face of Singapore". The United Nations 2009 Human Development Report ranked Singapore No. 10 in terms of the proportion of immigrants in the population.
One argument in favour of slowing down the immigration rate is the impact it has on low-income Singaporeans. But it is important to note that as immigration increased over the past few years, so has household income – though the lowest 20th percentile has admittedly had a slower growth rate than the rest. The Government has taken steps to address this problem, through income tax relief (lower income groups pay very little or no income tax), Workfare, ComCare, the Skills Redevelopment Programme and Skills Development Fund.
The growing income gap here is not due entirely to immigration. In Singapore, as well as in most of the developed world, there has been a shift from manufacturing (which needs many unskilled workers) to a knowledge-based and services economy (which needs many skilled workers). This change has resulted in a segment of society lagging behind others due to a mismatch in job skills.
Restricting immigration is not a viable option if Singapore is to keep up with the rest of the world. The key is to have safeguards to absorbs the "shocks" associated with immigration.
Immigration policy has not kept pace with the realities of day-to-day life in Singapore. It is a sensitive topic, but to move forward, all Singaporeans must grapple with this issue. As an example, various grassroots and self-help organisations, such as the Chinese Development Assistance Council, Mendaki, Sinda and National Integration Council, have offered assistance. They are helping immigrants to settle into the community, with the Government allocating $10 million to these integration efforts.
Singapore could consider applying the findings of some recent research on the factors contributing to successful immigration. The research indicates that the rate of immigration (not too many at once), the visibility of the immigrant groups (some degree of assimilation is critical), the timing of immigration (not during a recession but rather in a period of growth), and support of the political leadership, are all important factors in a viable immigration policy.
Immigration has reached a critical point here. If the proportion of immigrants in the population goes much beyond one-third, it could cause a backlash. However, stopping immigration abruptly will stifle Singapore's competitiveness. Changing the on/off setting of the immigration switch to a more nuanced, steady trickle, while addressing the concerns of Singaporeans, could provide the reassurance currently absent on the street.
The writers are from the S.P. Jain Center of Management.
Singapore could consider applying the findings of some recent research on the factors contributing to successful immigration. The research indicates that the rate of immigration (not too many at once), the visibility of the immigrant groups (some degree of assimilation is critical), the timing of immigration (not during a recession but rather in a period of growth), and support of the political leadership, are all important factors in a viable immigration policy.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Employer's passport to trouble
The following article was published in TODAY on 25 Jan 2010.
It's against the law but firms cite poaching, theft, security bond as reasons to hold on to documents
Jan 25, 2010
by Esther Ng
SINGAPORE - The law says foreign workers should have their passports returned to them and, last year, two employment agencies were fined for not doing that.
6P Employment and Employment Hub were fined a total of $2,600. In addition, 33 agencies were sternly warned and issued demerit points for holding on to the passports of their foreign workers.
In Parliament recently, MP for Tampines GRC Irene Ng wanted to know what measures were being taken to ensure that employers and employment agencies did not exploit foreign workers and highlighted the issue of passport retention.
Minister for Manpower Gan Kim Yong revealed that two employment agencies were being prosecuted and that eight others were under investigation.
Responding to queries from MediaCorp, the ministry said: "Employers should not retain their foreign workers' passports without their consent."
And even if prior consent had been given for safe-keeping purposes, employers must return passports upon the foreign workers' request, the ministry said.
Govt 'must do away with security bond first'
But an employer in the construction industry, a China national who did not want to be named, said her company holds the passports of its foreign employees because it stood to lose "thousands of dollars" in security deposits if the workers absconded.
"We're not talking about one worker but possibly a large group," she said. "And we can't hire new workers because we (would have) filled up our quota."
The construction industry has a dependency ratio of one local full-time worker to seven foreign workers and the security deposit for each worker is $5,000.
Furthermore, illegal poaching from other contractors is rife in the industry, she claimed. It is not unusual for workers to leave for salaries of "just $100 more". Besides, her company spends "thousands of dollars" training these workers in China for between four to six months and the pass rate at the end of it is "very low".
"Unless the government does away with the security bond, I think most employers will hold onto the passports," she said.
If an employer has made reasonable efforts to locate a missing worker, the ministry will forfeit half of the security deposit - to cover the cost of his repatriation and other related costs should he be found. The ministry will also consider refunding the other $2,500 if an employer locates and repatriates a missing worker within three months.
Employers might also retain passports because of the risk of the documents being stolen.
"The workers share a dorm with so many other workers. Not all of them are from the same company," said Aastra Manpower's director Ferrine Chew.
Unfair terms of employmentcontracts 'unenforceable'
There are more complaints from workers about employers confiscating their travel documents than about employment agencies doing so, the executive director of theHumanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics,Mr Jolovan Wham, told MediaCorp.
"Employment agencies don't usually keep the passports, if they do it is usually to apply for work permits," he said. This was confirmed by a number of agencies.
Workers may be reluctant to demand their passports back because of contractual agreements with their bosses. For example, one of the terms in an employment contract that MediaCorp obtained states: "You may borrow your passport through a loan application if you need it to see a doctor or for other reasonable reasons. But should you fail to return it, you will be fined $500 and handed over to the police".
Contracts that contain terms like this, however, are not enforceable.
According to the ministry: "Employment terms of workers covered under the Employment Act are subject to the minimum standards spelt out in the law, and any term less favourable is deemed null and void, and therefore unenforceable."
The parties are otherwise free to agree on other terms of employment to suit different employment needs varying across companies but employers should ensure that the terms are fair and reasonable to both parties, said the ministry.
To increase foreign workers' awareness of their employment rights, the ministry provides such information in "In-Principle Approval letters" that are sent to migrant workers in their home countries before they leave for Singapore. It also gives out a handbook in their native language to all new workers and organises about 20 dormitory road shows a year.
It's against the law but firms cite poaching, theft, security bond as reasons to hold on to documents
Jan 25, 2010
by Esther Ng
SINGAPORE - The law says foreign workers should have their passports returned to them and, last year, two employment agencies were fined for not doing that.
6P Employment and Employment Hub were fined a total of $2,600. In addition, 33 agencies were sternly warned and issued demerit points for holding on to the passports of their foreign workers.
In Parliament recently, MP for Tampines GRC Irene Ng wanted to know what measures were being taken to ensure that employers and employment agencies did not exploit foreign workers and highlighted the issue of passport retention.
Minister for Manpower Gan Kim Yong revealed that two employment agencies were being prosecuted and that eight others were under investigation.
Responding to queries from MediaCorp, the ministry said: "Employers should not retain their foreign workers' passports without their consent."
And even if prior consent had been given for safe-keeping purposes, employers must return passports upon the foreign workers' request, the ministry said.
Govt 'must do away with security bond first'
But an employer in the construction industry, a China national who did not want to be named, said her company holds the passports of its foreign employees because it stood to lose "thousands of dollars" in security deposits if the workers absconded.
"We're not talking about one worker but possibly a large group," she said. "And we can't hire new workers because we (would have) filled up our quota."
The construction industry has a dependency ratio of one local full-time worker to seven foreign workers and the security deposit for each worker is $5,000.
Furthermore, illegal poaching from other contractors is rife in the industry, she claimed. It is not unusual for workers to leave for salaries of "just $100 more". Besides, her company spends "thousands of dollars" training these workers in China for between four to six months and the pass rate at the end of it is "very low".
"Unless the government does away with the security bond, I think most employers will hold onto the passports," she said.
If an employer has made reasonable efforts to locate a missing worker, the ministry will forfeit half of the security deposit - to cover the cost of his repatriation and other related costs should he be found. The ministry will also consider refunding the other $2,500 if an employer locates and repatriates a missing worker within three months.
Employers might also retain passports because of the risk of the documents being stolen.
"The workers share a dorm with so many other workers. Not all of them are from the same company," said Aastra Manpower's director Ferrine Chew.
Unfair terms of employmentcontracts 'unenforceable'
There are more complaints from workers about employers confiscating their travel documents than about employment agencies doing so, the executive director of theHumanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics,Mr Jolovan Wham, told MediaCorp.
"Employment agencies don't usually keep the passports, if they do it is usually to apply for work permits," he said. This was confirmed by a number of agencies.
Workers may be reluctant to demand their passports back because of contractual agreements with their bosses. For example, one of the terms in an employment contract that MediaCorp obtained states: "You may borrow your passport through a loan application if you need it to see a doctor or for other reasonable reasons. But should you fail to return it, you will be fined $500 and handed over to the police".
Contracts that contain terms like this, however, are not enforceable.
According to the ministry: "Employment terms of workers covered under the Employment Act are subject to the minimum standards spelt out in the law, and any term less favourable is deemed null and void, and therefore unenforceable."
The parties are otherwise free to agree on other terms of employment to suit different employment needs varying across companies but employers should ensure that the terms are fair and reasonable to both parties, said the ministry.
To increase foreign workers' awareness of their employment rights, the ministry provides such information in "In-Principle Approval letters" that are sent to migrant workers in their home countries before they leave for Singapore. It also gives out a handbook in their native language to all new workers and organises about 20 dormitory road shows a year.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
2 workers die in industrial accident
The following article was published in the Straits Times on 24 Jan 2010.
2 workers die in industrial accident
By IRENE THAM
The Straits Times
24/01/2010
Two men died after an industrial accident occurred in Jurong Island yesterday at Chemical Specialties, a Singapore-based chemical processing contractor.
The two workers, believed to be Malaysians, were in their 30s. They suffered cuts and bruises and were bleeding from the ears when the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived at 11.14 am.
They were pronounced dead at 11.40 am.
The Sunday Times understands that the workers were on top of a cylindrical tank – measuring six storeys high and 6m in diameter – when the tank's roof was blown off. According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), preliminary findings revealed that the workers were installing piping to various tanks when one exploded.
MOM has instructed Chemical Specialties to stop all installation works on the plant. MOM and SCDF are investigating.
2 workers die in industrial accident
By IRENE THAM
The Straits Times
24/01/2010
Two men died after an industrial accident occurred in Jurong Island yesterday at Chemical Specialties, a Singapore-based chemical processing contractor.
The two workers, believed to be Malaysians, were in their 30s. They suffered cuts and bruises and were bleeding from the ears when the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived at 11.14 am.
They were pronounced dead at 11.40 am.
The Sunday Times understands that the workers were on top of a cylindrical tank – measuring six storeys high and 6m in diameter – when the tank's roof was blown off. According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), preliminary findings revealed that the workers were installing piping to various tanks when one exploded.
MOM has instructed Chemical Specialties to stop all installation works on the plant. MOM and SCDF are investigating.
Two workers dead in industrial accident
The following article was published in the New Paper on 24 Jan 2010.
Two workers dead in industrial accident
The New Paper
24/01/2010
TWO men died after an industrial accident in Jurong Island yesterday. It took place at Chemical Specialties, a Singapore-based chemical processing contractor.
The two workers, believed to be Malaysians, were in their 30s. They suffered cuts and bruises and were bleeding in the ears when the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived at 11.14am. They were pronounced dead at 11.40am.
The workers were on top of a cylindrical tank, six-storeys high and 6m in diameter, when the accident happened. When the SCDF arrived, one of them was found about 5m to 10m from the tank. The other was about 30m away.
Two workers dead in industrial accident
The New Paper
24/01/2010
TWO men died after an industrial accident in Jurong Island yesterday. It took place at Chemical Specialties, a Singapore-based chemical processing contractor.
The two workers, believed to be Malaysians, were in their 30s. They suffered cuts and bruises and were bleeding in the ears when the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived at 11.14am. They were pronounced dead at 11.40am.
The workers were on top of a cylindrical tank, six-storeys high and 6m in diameter, when the accident happened. When the SCDF arrived, one of them was found about 5m to 10m from the tank. The other was about 30m away.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Calling Singapore Home
How will the government’s new liberal immigration policy affect the people? In this 2-part video, Al Jazeera speaks to Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, Mr Siew Kum Hong, Mr Jolovan Wham and Dr Dawn Dekle. The Singapore government declined to participate in the programme.
101 East: Calling Singapore Home - Part 1
101 East: Calling Singapore Home - Part 2
101 East: Calling Singapore Home - Part 1
101 East: Calling Singapore Home - Part 2
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Pregnancy, violence are just 'job hazards'
The following article was published in the Straits Times on 19 Jan 2010.
Pregnancy, violence are just 'job hazards'
Women who work here as illegal prostitutes have little protection
By Zaihan Mohamed Yusof
The New Paper, Tue, Jan 19, 2010
SHE crouched on the toilet seat, unsure of what to do next.
In her hands, the test kit read "pregnant".
She checked it twice, the results were the same.
But unlike most expectant mothers, there was no joy.
She had returned to the Philippines from Singapore after working as a prostitute.
Chris (not her real name) was in a dilemma - on the one hand she had to go back to Singapore to earn money to feed her family; on the other, she was six weeks pregnant.
So, two years ago, she did the unthinkable - she came back here to ply her trade while pregnant.
The New Paper on Sunday met Chris, 30, who is still working as a prostitute, in Geylang.
She said of her ordeal two years ago: "I didn't want to abort the baby because taking a life is the biggest sin in my religion (she's Catholic).
"I came back because now I needed to earn more money to raise my child and feed my family."
Chris has to support her parents back home, and two younger siblings, who are still schooling. Her parents are farmers.
Photo caption: "I didn't want to tell anybody about my problems, especially the authorities. I will only get into more trouble with the law." -Chris (not her real name), who says that there aren't many options available for her to go to for help.
When she returned to Singapore, she lived in fear that her agent would find out. He would have fired her if he did.
It was a big risk because she had owed him$1,600.
Part of the $150 Chris received from each client went to paying her agent for her passage here and her lodging in a Balestier Road apartment.
Said Chris: "Getting pregnant is a job hazard. It comes with the territory, together with being physically abused by strangers, getting an STI (sexually transmitted infection) or being arrested.
"It wasn't difficult to hide my pregnancy because I'm naturally chubbier than most girls."
Chris was lucky that no one found out about her pregnancy and she managed to return home safely after finishing her stint here.
She now has a 13-month-old son who is being cared for by her family in the Philippines.
Sri Lankan prostitute Thayagarajah Radika Devi, 21, was not so fortunate.
Seven months pregnant, she was killed by a client in September 2008 because she had asked him for more money.
Indian national Madhuri Chandra Jaya Reddy, 21, had suffocated Ms Devi and stuffed her body under a mattress in a hotel room at Geylang Lorong 18.
Reddy later pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He was sentenced to 17 years' jail and 12 strokes of the cane earlier this week.
Despite the dangers, Chris and her "sisters" continue their trade in search of more money to send home.
When problems arise, she said, the women usually depend on each other to solve them.
Despite hearing horror stories from others who have worked here, Chris said there is little recourse.
She said: "I didn't want to tell anybody about my problems, especially the authorities. I will only get into more trouble with the law."
Chris and many others like her have entered Singapore on social visit passes, which last a month.
Under the law, they are not allowed to work here.
Irresponsible
Sarah (not her real name), who is also a sex worker roped in by Chris' agent, felt that her compatriot's actions were irresponsible.
The sex worker got pregnant twice while working in Singapore. Both times, she went home to the Philippines for abortions.
Said Sarah, 34. "We come here to make money... If you get pregnant, just get an abortion. After that you can work without any worry.
"Besides, what kind of 'story' will you tell your child when he asks about his father?You won't know who the father is."
There are no organisations which specifically offer help to sex workers here, said Mr Jolovan Wham,executive director of Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (Home).
The organisation, which mostly deals with issues faced by legally employed foreign workers in Singapore, has some experience in helping female prostitutes.
On average, two such women a year approach Home for legal assistance or shelter.
Said Mr Wham: "In most cases, these prostitutes are just too afraid to approach any organisations. So how can we know if they have a problem?"
At the more than 10 regulated brothels along Geylang Lorong 18, prostitutes, mostly from Malaysia and Thailand, are obligated to go for regular STI screenings.
The unspoken rule at these licensed brothels is that if you're pregnant, you're out, said one brothel manager who did not want to be named.
The sex workers' agents, whom we met in Geylang while talking to sex workers there, said the same thing.
A 40-year-old man, who manages four foreign women, said that seeing pregnant prostitutes who continue to work was rare.
Said the man: "They're like damaged goods. They're useless to me because people pantang (superstitious in Malay) when they find out that the girl they choose is pregnant."
In the five years he has been in the business, he had only one girl who tried to hide her pregnancy.
She had earlier complained about dizzy spells and needed to rest frequently.
He confirmed his suspicions when he forced the woman to take a pregnancy test.
He added: "In a business where there is no contract, I just tell the pregnant woman to leave... I don't want to be responsible for any health problems.
"I will lose more money if I have to pay for medical bills."
OTHER ATTACKS ON PROSTITUTES
Witnesses saw knife stuck in her chest
25 OCTOBER 2008
Coco, a 41-year-old Malaysian prostitute was knifed to death at a Flanders Square brothel near Serangoon Road.
Witnesses said they heard a scream before they saw Coco stumbling out of unit 22 with a knife stuck in her chest.
The murder remains unsolved.
Body was found wrapped in sarong
FEBRUARY 2006
Police recovered the decomposed body of a Thai prostitute, Ms Phakhaphon Taeng-On, in a canal in Kranji.
Police suspected the 35-year-old woman may have been murdered.
She was found wrapped up in a sarong and a blanket with her ankles bound.
Suspect managed to escape to China
JANUARY 2003
The body of a female prostitute from China was discovered in a hotel room in Geylang.
A Chinese national suspected of the murder managed to escape to China before he could be questioned by the authorities.
A knife was found in a backlane near the hotel.
Pregnancy, violence are just 'job hazards'
Women who work here as illegal prostitutes have little protection
By Zaihan Mohamed Yusof
The New Paper, Tue, Jan 19, 2010
SHE crouched on the toilet seat, unsure of what to do next.
In her hands, the test kit read "pregnant".
She checked it twice, the results were the same.
But unlike most expectant mothers, there was no joy.
She had returned to the Philippines from Singapore after working as a prostitute.
Chris (not her real name) was in a dilemma - on the one hand she had to go back to Singapore to earn money to feed her family; on the other, she was six weeks pregnant.
So, two years ago, she did the unthinkable - she came back here to ply her trade while pregnant.
The New Paper on Sunday met Chris, 30, who is still working as a prostitute, in Geylang.
She said of her ordeal two years ago: "I didn't want to abort the baby because taking a life is the biggest sin in my religion (she's Catholic).
"I came back because now I needed to earn more money to raise my child and feed my family."
Chris has to support her parents back home, and two younger siblings, who are still schooling. Her parents are farmers.
Photo caption: "I didn't want to tell anybody about my problems, especially the authorities. I will only get into more trouble with the law." -Chris (not her real name), who says that there aren't many options available for her to go to for help.When she returned to Singapore, she lived in fear that her agent would find out. He would have fired her if he did.
It was a big risk because she had owed him$1,600.
Part of the $150 Chris received from each client went to paying her agent for her passage here and her lodging in a Balestier Road apartment.
Said Chris: "Getting pregnant is a job hazard. It comes with the territory, together with being physically abused by strangers, getting an STI (sexually transmitted infection) or being arrested.
"It wasn't difficult to hide my pregnancy because I'm naturally chubbier than most girls."
Chris was lucky that no one found out about her pregnancy and she managed to return home safely after finishing her stint here.
She now has a 13-month-old son who is being cared for by her family in the Philippines.
Sri Lankan prostitute Thayagarajah Radika Devi, 21, was not so fortunate.
Seven months pregnant, she was killed by a client in September 2008 because she had asked him for more money.
Indian national Madhuri Chandra Jaya Reddy, 21, had suffocated Ms Devi and stuffed her body under a mattress in a hotel room at Geylang Lorong 18.
Reddy later pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He was sentenced to 17 years' jail and 12 strokes of the cane earlier this week.
Despite the dangers, Chris and her "sisters" continue their trade in search of more money to send home.
When problems arise, she said, the women usually depend on each other to solve them.
Despite hearing horror stories from others who have worked here, Chris said there is little recourse.
She said: "I didn't want to tell anybody about my problems, especially the authorities. I will only get into more trouble with the law."
Chris and many others like her have entered Singapore on social visit passes, which last a month.
Under the law, they are not allowed to work here.
Irresponsible
Sarah (not her real name), who is also a sex worker roped in by Chris' agent, felt that her compatriot's actions were irresponsible.
The sex worker got pregnant twice while working in Singapore. Both times, she went home to the Philippines for abortions.
Said Sarah, 34. "We come here to make money... If you get pregnant, just get an abortion. After that you can work without any worry.
"Besides, what kind of 'story' will you tell your child when he asks about his father?You won't know who the father is."
There are no organisations which specifically offer help to sex workers here, said Mr Jolovan Wham,executive director of Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (Home).
The organisation, which mostly deals with issues faced by legally employed foreign workers in Singapore, has some experience in helping female prostitutes.
On average, two such women a year approach Home for legal assistance or shelter.
Said Mr Wham: "In most cases, these prostitutes are just too afraid to approach any organisations. So how can we know if they have a problem?"
At the more than 10 regulated brothels along Geylang Lorong 18, prostitutes, mostly from Malaysia and Thailand, are obligated to go for regular STI screenings.
The unspoken rule at these licensed brothels is that if you're pregnant, you're out, said one brothel manager who did not want to be named.
The sex workers' agents, whom we met in Geylang while talking to sex workers there, said the same thing.
A 40-year-old man, who manages four foreign women, said that seeing pregnant prostitutes who continue to work was rare.
Said the man: "They're like damaged goods. They're useless to me because people pantang (superstitious in Malay) when they find out that the girl they choose is pregnant."
In the five years he has been in the business, he had only one girl who tried to hide her pregnancy.
She had earlier complained about dizzy spells and needed to rest frequently.
He confirmed his suspicions when he forced the woman to take a pregnancy test.
He added: "In a business where there is no contract, I just tell the pregnant woman to leave... I don't want to be responsible for any health problems.
"I will lose more money if I have to pay for medical bills."
OTHER ATTACKS ON PROSTITUTES
Witnesses saw knife stuck in her chest
25 OCTOBER 2008
Coco, a 41-year-old Malaysian prostitute was knifed to death at a Flanders Square brothel near Serangoon Road.
Witnesses said they heard a scream before they saw Coco stumbling out of unit 22 with a knife stuck in her chest.
The murder remains unsolved.
Body was found wrapped in sarong
FEBRUARY 2006
Police recovered the decomposed body of a Thai prostitute, Ms Phakhaphon Taeng-On, in a canal in Kranji.
Police suspected the 35-year-old woman may have been murdered.
She was found wrapped up in a sarong and a blanket with her ankles bound.
Suspect managed to escape to China
JANUARY 2003
The body of a female prostitute from China was discovered in a hotel room in Geylang.
A Chinese national suspected of the murder managed to escape to China before he could be questioned by the authorities.
A knife was found in a backlane near the hotel.
Monday, January 18, 2010
MOM Ready to Step In and Act
MOM Ready to Step In and Act
MOM, Press Release, 18 January 2010
URL: http://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/Pages/PressRepliesDetail.aspx?listid=1
* TODAY (18 January 2010) : MOM ready to step and act
* TODAY (12 January 2010) : Stricter measures needed
MOM ready to step in and act
- TODAY, 18 January 2010
Ms Stephanie Chok presented an incomplete picture of how MOM handles complaints of employment violations (TODAY, 12 Jan).
2. Firstly, MOM will require the employer to comply with the minimum terms prescribed in the Employment Act, even if the worker has signed the contract. Last year, MOM directed 294 companies to rectify their employment terms to be in line with the Employment Act. Errant employers may be issued with warnings and in some cases barred from hiring foreign workers for a specific period of time. They may also be prosecuted, and face a fine of up to $5,000 per charge and/or jail of up to 6 months if convicted. 29 employers were convicted for violations in 2009.
3. However, for other contractual terms that do not involve those specified in the Employment Act, such as penalties for disciplinary offences, workers should seek advice and assistance from the Ministry if they feel that such terms are unfair. MOM will investigate whether such clauses are reasonable.
4. Workers seeking to recover agency fees paid to agents outside Singapore, or to be relieved of loans they have taken, need to seek the enforcement of such rights in their home countries, since that is where they have paid their agency fees and incurred the debt. On our part, Singapore has already made it an offence for employers or employment agents to receive kickbacks. Such kickbacks may indirectly inflate the agency fees the workers pay. There are also cases where workers seek to recover loans or other payments made from their salaries when they had previously consented to such arrangements. For such cases, the Ministry would mediate where appropriate, with a view to helping both parties to resolve the matter.
5. Cases reported to MOM may involve some or all of these categories of disputes. MOM offers mediation services to help the parties resolve their differences as quickly and amicably as possible, within reason and to be fair to parties involved. As it is a mediated settlement, both the employer and the workers concerned are free to decide whether the proposed terms of settlement are acceptable to them. If any party does not accept the proposed settlement terms, the workers may refer their claims to the Labour Court for adjudication.
6. Workers with employment claims and employment issues can approach the Ministry for advice and assistance. They can call the MOM hotline at 6438 5122 or email mom_lrwd@mom.gov.sg.
Stricter measures needed
- TODAY, 12 January 2010
I refer to "When it does not add up" (Jan 11). As a volunteer with non-government organisations dealing with migrant workers, I have met many foreign workers bound by similar contracts which violate the Employment Act and international labour laws. Such contracts should be illegal.
Yet, I have seen many foreign workers enter "mediations" at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and be told: "But you signed the contract". There is no recognition of the coercion involved when workers are asked to sign contracts at the airport, after they have paid extortionate amounts of money to recruitment agents.
Also, a "negotiation" strategy is often favoured during mediations, when what is required is an enforcement of existing legislation. It should not be left to employers to decide whether and when they will not comply with the Employment Act.
What is the point of workers making appointments to see MOM officers only to have to "negotiate" or plead for mere compliance with the law? The quoted employer attempts to legitimise such unlawful contracts by insinuating such workers must be 'managed' and that employers have spent lots of money training them.
These workers also spend a lot of money on agency fees. They have to foot the costs of living expenses during their required training period in China. Upon arrival, they are made to work seven days a week, 12 hours or more a day, chalking up more than 350 hours a month - with no overtime or holiday pay or designated rest days.
"Managing" large numbers of employees may be challenging and the pressure to complete projects real. But do we allow unethical and illegal business practices to persist regardless?
Labour laws exist for a reason - to protect workers from abusive employer practices and ensure certain labour standards are maintained.
This is also in the interest of harmonious labour relations, which Singapore prides itself on.
If Singapore is genuine about becoming a "choice destination for migrant workers", I urge MOM to take a strong stand against employers and agents who show scant regard for the basic dignity of workers as well as local labour laws.
Publicly meting out the stipulated fines and jail sentences should act as preliminary deterrents. Raising punitive measures, hopefully, will take place in future.
MOM, Press Release, 18 January 2010
URL: http://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/Pages/PressRepliesDetail.aspx?listid=1
* TODAY (18 January 2010) : MOM ready to step and act
* TODAY (12 January 2010) : Stricter measures needed
MOM ready to step in and act
- TODAY, 18 January 2010
Ms Stephanie Chok presented an incomplete picture of how MOM handles complaints of employment violations (TODAY, 12 Jan).
2. Firstly, MOM will require the employer to comply with the minimum terms prescribed in the Employment Act, even if the worker has signed the contract. Last year, MOM directed 294 companies to rectify their employment terms to be in line with the Employment Act. Errant employers may be issued with warnings and in some cases barred from hiring foreign workers for a specific period of time. They may also be prosecuted, and face a fine of up to $5,000 per charge and/or jail of up to 6 months if convicted. 29 employers were convicted for violations in 2009.
3. However, for other contractual terms that do not involve those specified in the Employment Act, such as penalties for disciplinary offences, workers should seek advice and assistance from the Ministry if they feel that such terms are unfair. MOM will investigate whether such clauses are reasonable.
4. Workers seeking to recover agency fees paid to agents outside Singapore, or to be relieved of loans they have taken, need to seek the enforcement of such rights in their home countries, since that is where they have paid their agency fees and incurred the debt. On our part, Singapore has already made it an offence for employers or employment agents to receive kickbacks. Such kickbacks may indirectly inflate the agency fees the workers pay. There are also cases where workers seek to recover loans or other payments made from their salaries when they had previously consented to such arrangements. For such cases, the Ministry would mediate where appropriate, with a view to helping both parties to resolve the matter.
5. Cases reported to MOM may involve some or all of these categories of disputes. MOM offers mediation services to help the parties resolve their differences as quickly and amicably as possible, within reason and to be fair to parties involved. As it is a mediated settlement, both the employer and the workers concerned are free to decide whether the proposed terms of settlement are acceptable to them. If any party does not accept the proposed settlement terms, the workers may refer their claims to the Labour Court for adjudication.
6. Workers with employment claims and employment issues can approach the Ministry for advice and assistance. They can call the MOM hotline at 6438 5122 or email mom_lrwd@mom.gov.sg.
Stricter measures needed
- TODAY, 12 January 2010
I refer to "When it does not add up" (Jan 11). As a volunteer with non-government organisations dealing with migrant workers, I have met many foreign workers bound by similar contracts which violate the Employment Act and international labour laws. Such contracts should be illegal.
Yet, I have seen many foreign workers enter "mediations" at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and be told: "But you signed the contract". There is no recognition of the coercion involved when workers are asked to sign contracts at the airport, after they have paid extortionate amounts of money to recruitment agents.
Also, a "negotiation" strategy is often favoured during mediations, when what is required is an enforcement of existing legislation. It should not be left to employers to decide whether and when they will not comply with the Employment Act.
What is the point of workers making appointments to see MOM officers only to have to "negotiate" or plead for mere compliance with the law? The quoted employer attempts to legitimise such unlawful contracts by insinuating such workers must be 'managed' and that employers have spent lots of money training them.
These workers also spend a lot of money on agency fees. They have to foot the costs of living expenses during their required training period in China. Upon arrival, they are made to work seven days a week, 12 hours or more a day, chalking up more than 350 hours a month - with no overtime or holiday pay or designated rest days.
"Managing" large numbers of employees may be challenging and the pressure to complete projects real. But do we allow unethical and illegal business practices to persist regardless?
Labour laws exist for a reason - to protect workers from abusive employer practices and ensure certain labour standards are maintained.
This is also in the interest of harmonious labour relations, which Singapore prides itself on.
If Singapore is genuine about becoming a "choice destination for migrant workers", I urge MOM to take a strong stand against employers and agents who show scant regard for the basic dignity of workers as well as local labour laws.
Publicly meting out the stipulated fines and jail sentences should act as preliminary deterrents. Raising punitive measures, hopefully, will take place in future.
'Are foreigners taking the jobs of citizens?'
The following article was published in the Straits Times on 18 Jan 2010.
They're doing jobs Singaporeans shun
Straits Times
By Jeremy Au Yong
18/01/2010
ISSUE #2: ARE FOREIGNERS TAKING THE JOBS OF CITIZENS?
CONTRARY to popular belief, foreigners who take up low-paying jobs here are not depriving Singaporeans of work.
Rather, they are doing jobs Singaporeans shun, Law Minister K. Shanmugam said at a dialogue with Yew Tee residents yesterday.
He made the same point last month during a speech to the Harvard Club, but in the face of several questions on the issue yesterday, he clearly felt the point bore repeating.
A resident had complained that foreigners were crowding Singaporeans out of jobs, depriving them from even becoming cleaners.
Replying, Mr Shanmugam said the "actual practical reality" was that employers often turned to foreigners only as a last resort when they cannot find local staff.
More often than not, employers were even willing to pay Singaporeans more.
He shared his experiences at his own Meet-the-People sessions in Sembawang GRC: "People come to me and they ask for jobs. I can get them jobs as cleaners, I can get them jobs in canteens.
"Unless they are older people who are looking for part-time jobs, they are generally not interested in these jobs, even if we say we'll pay you more than the foreign worker.
"If the foreign worker gets $800, we'll try to get the Singaporean $1,300. But you have to work on weekends. The Singaporean says 'no'."
Similarly, he said foreigners were not to be blamed for retrenched workers being unable to get re-employed at their old pay. That is due to companies still being uncertain about the economy and workers who may not have the right skills.
The modern economy requires high skills, he said, while those aged over 40 were of a generation that typically stopped school at secondary level.
"So, our problem are people above 40. So NTUC sends them for job schemes where they get them trained, but individuals also have to reduce expectations," he said.
Ultimately, however, Mr Shanmugam stressed the underlying principle of the Government's work is that Singaporeans come first, a point made repeatedly by top government leaders.
He said: "We have to start off with the perspective that we have to help Singaporeans first...(they) must have jobs and be able to afford the basic things and move as far as their potential can allow."
He also noted that the Manpower Ministry has tightened the rules for the inflow of semi-skilled foreigners in industries such as the services sector.
They're doing jobs Singaporeans shun
Straits Times
By Jeremy Au Yong
18/01/2010
ISSUE #2: ARE FOREIGNERS TAKING THE JOBS OF CITIZENS?
CONTRARY to popular belief, foreigners who take up low-paying jobs here are not depriving Singaporeans of work.
Rather, they are doing jobs Singaporeans shun, Law Minister K. Shanmugam said at a dialogue with Yew Tee residents yesterday.
He made the same point last month during a speech to the Harvard Club, but in the face of several questions on the issue yesterday, he clearly felt the point bore repeating.
A resident had complained that foreigners were crowding Singaporeans out of jobs, depriving them from even becoming cleaners.
Replying, Mr Shanmugam said the "actual practical reality" was that employers often turned to foreigners only as a last resort when they cannot find local staff.
More often than not, employers were even willing to pay Singaporeans more.
He shared his experiences at his own Meet-the-People sessions in Sembawang GRC: "People come to me and they ask for jobs. I can get them jobs as cleaners, I can get them jobs in canteens.
"Unless they are older people who are looking for part-time jobs, they are generally not interested in these jobs, even if we say we'll pay you more than the foreign worker.
"If the foreign worker gets $800, we'll try to get the Singaporean $1,300. But you have to work on weekends. The Singaporean says 'no'."
Similarly, he said foreigners were not to be blamed for retrenched workers being unable to get re-employed at their old pay. That is due to companies still being uncertain about the economy and workers who may not have the right skills.
The modern economy requires high skills, he said, while those aged over 40 were of a generation that typically stopped school at secondary level.
"So, our problem are people above 40. So NTUC sends them for job schemes where they get them trained, but individuals also have to reduce expectations," he said.
Ultimately, however, Mr Shanmugam stressed the underlying principle of the Government's work is that Singaporeans come first, a point made repeatedly by top government leaders.
He said: "We have to start off with the perspective that we have to help Singaporeans first...(they) must have jobs and be able to afford the basic things and move as far as their potential can allow."
He also noted that the Manpower Ministry has tightened the rules for the inflow of semi-skilled foreigners in industries such as the services sector.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Rent a room, get free maid service
The following article was published in The New Paper on 16 Jan 2010.
Rent a room, get free maid service
By Crystal Chan
The New Paper
16/01/2010
WOULD you like to rent a room, with maid services thrown in? In a competitive room rental market, some landlords are offering to have their maids clean up after tenants.
While such rental advertisements do not appear in the newspapers, these are common on the Internet.
A recent check on websites like easyroommate.com.sg, sg-house.com, ezlinksingapore.com, singaporeexpats.com and share-accommodation.sg showed at least 30 postings with the words "maid services included".
The services include cleaning, laundry and ironing.
Landlords who spoke to The New Paper said they were offering the maid services as an added incentive.
But isn't it illegal?
One landlord who's offering such maid services, said: "It's up to the tenant – the maid is optional. I thought there'd be no problems since the rented room is still within my household."
He did not think he was overworking the maid as she would still be cleaning up part of the same flat.
Maid agents who spoke to The New Paper say that when applying for work permits for maids, employers have to provide the names of family members who live with them.
Madam Alice Cheah, who runs Caregivers Centre, said: "It's a grey area. On one hand, Ministry of Manpower (MOM) rules state that foreign domestic workers are allowed to perform only domestic chores at the address of their employers.
"But it's technically also wrong for maids to do chores for tenants as they are not part of the family nucleus."
Employers found guilty of illegally deploying their maids to work for other people can be fined up to $5,000 and jailed six months.
They also risk losing their $5,000 bond with the ministry and can be barred from employing foreign maids in the future.
Wrong
Madam Cheah said the job scope of the maid is to work for the employer and his or her family.
She said: "The job scope is clearly spelt out in the forms that employers sign. So it's not right for the employer to make the maid work for the tenant even though the room is part of the employer's flat or house.
"But normally, the employers don't get caught as the maids don't make a hassle out of having to clean up after the tenants."
Ms Bridget Lew, founder and president of foreign worker advocacy group Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics, was unable to give exact figures, but said maids who have been illegally deployed form 60 per cent of cases she sees.
She said: "We tell them that if they want to pursue action, they have to lodge a complaint with MOM. Not only is this wrong, but the domestic workers are also overworked."
Ms Lew said these employers were exploiting their maids.
Still, she pointed out that with about 200,000 foreign domestic workers here, the problem of illegal deployment is not rampant.
Competitive rental market
Mr Albert Lu, managing director of C & H Realty, said the room rental market is competitive.
He said: "There're always rooms available for rent. The supply of rooms will never run out."
He even knows of landlords who rent out entire flats or houses to people and even hire maids for the tenants to do their cleaning and laundry.
"That's why these landlords or real estate agents don't advertise the maid services in the newspapers where checks and filters are done. Online, there's no control," he said.
Property experts said that tenants may also be made to pay more if they want to use the landlords' maids.
Mr Mohamed Ismail, chief executive of PropNex, said: "Nothing is free. The landlords would probably ask the tenants to foot part of the cost for upkeeping the maid."
Rental for a common room in a Sengkang flat, with maid services included, was listed at $650 per month in one online posting, compared to the market rate of around $500 for just a room.
Mr Ismail believes that if tenants have to pay extra for a maid, they would not be tempted to rent the place.
He explained: "Tenants looking for rooms tend to have a tight budget so they wouldn't want to pay more for a maid."
The real estate agents, however, said they were merely following their clients' orders.
Mr Aaron Chan, an agent, said: "We're just the middlemen. If the clients say they're offering maid services to the tenants, we'll pass the message on."
Mr Steve Tay, 30, a financial planner who used to stay in a rented room in a condominium, said having a maid did not make a difference to him.
Mr Robert Chua, 35, who is between jobs, stayed in a rented room in Pasir Ris last year, as landlord provided free maid service.
He said: "At just $460 a month, it was value for money."
Rent a room, get free maid service
By Crystal Chan
The New Paper
16/01/2010
WOULD you like to rent a room, with maid services thrown in? In a competitive room rental market, some landlords are offering to have their maids clean up after tenants.
While such rental advertisements do not appear in the newspapers, these are common on the Internet.
A recent check on websites like easyroommate.com.sg, sg-house.com, ezlinksingapore.com, singaporeexpats.com and share-accommodation.sg showed at least 30 postings with the words "maid services included".
The services include cleaning, laundry and ironing.
Landlords who spoke to The New Paper said they were offering the maid services as an added incentive.
But isn't it illegal?
One landlord who's offering such maid services, said: "It's up to the tenant – the maid is optional. I thought there'd be no problems since the rented room is still within my household."
He did not think he was overworking the maid as she would still be cleaning up part of the same flat.
Maid agents who spoke to The New Paper say that when applying for work permits for maids, employers have to provide the names of family members who live with them.
Madam Alice Cheah, who runs Caregivers Centre, said: "It's a grey area. On one hand, Ministry of Manpower (MOM) rules state that foreign domestic workers are allowed to perform only domestic chores at the address of their employers.
"But it's technically also wrong for maids to do chores for tenants as they are not part of the family nucleus."
Employers found guilty of illegally deploying their maids to work for other people can be fined up to $5,000 and jailed six months.
They also risk losing their $5,000 bond with the ministry and can be barred from employing foreign maids in the future.
Wrong
Madam Cheah said the job scope of the maid is to work for the employer and his or her family.
She said: "The job scope is clearly spelt out in the forms that employers sign. So it's not right for the employer to make the maid work for the tenant even though the room is part of the employer's flat or house.
"But normally, the employers don't get caught as the maids don't make a hassle out of having to clean up after the tenants."
Ms Bridget Lew, founder and president of foreign worker advocacy group Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics, was unable to give exact figures, but said maids who have been illegally deployed form 60 per cent of cases she sees.
She said: "We tell them that if they want to pursue action, they have to lodge a complaint with MOM. Not only is this wrong, but the domestic workers are also overworked."
Ms Lew said these employers were exploiting their maids.
Still, she pointed out that with about 200,000 foreign domestic workers here, the problem of illegal deployment is not rampant.
Competitive rental market
Mr Albert Lu, managing director of C & H Realty, said the room rental market is competitive.
He said: "There're always rooms available for rent. The supply of rooms will never run out."
He even knows of landlords who rent out entire flats or houses to people and even hire maids for the tenants to do their cleaning and laundry.
"That's why these landlords or real estate agents don't advertise the maid services in the newspapers where checks and filters are done. Online, there's no control," he said.
Property experts said that tenants may also be made to pay more if they want to use the landlords' maids.
Mr Mohamed Ismail, chief executive of PropNex, said: "Nothing is free. The landlords would probably ask the tenants to foot part of the cost for upkeeping the maid."
Rental for a common room in a Sengkang flat, with maid services included, was listed at $650 per month in one online posting, compared to the market rate of around $500 for just a room.
Mr Ismail believes that if tenants have to pay extra for a maid, they would not be tempted to rent the place.
He explained: "Tenants looking for rooms tend to have a tight budget so they wouldn't want to pay more for a maid."
The real estate agents, however, said they were merely following their clients' orders.
Mr Aaron Chan, an agent, said: "We're just the middlemen. If the clients say they're offering maid services to the tenants, we'll pass the message on."
Mr Steve Tay, 30, a financial planner who used to stay in a rented room in a condominium, said having a maid did not make a difference to him.
Mr Robert Chua, 35, who is between jobs, stayed in a rented room in Pasir Ris last year, as landlord provided free maid service.
He said: "At just $460 a month, it was value for money."
Friday, January 15, 2010
200 free meals a day and... counting
The following article was published in tabla! on 15 Jan 2010.
200 free meals a day and... counting
The Cuff Road Project aims to let migrant workers in trouble eat with dignity. -tabla!
Fri, Jan 15, 2010
tabla!
By Malavika Nataraj
WHEN Mr S. Shanmuganathan stepped out of his restaurant in Little India, he used to spot many migrant workers sitting disconsolately on the pavement outside.
Mr Shan, as he is affectionately called by everyone, asked them why they were there... and the answer shocked him.
Most of them were penniless and hungry, and in a state of flux due to some issue with their employer.
One of them is construction worker Ramasamy Selvaraj.
He says he was badly injured in January last year by a pump left out carelessly by a co-worker during a night shift at a site here. Claiming that his employers assured him they would take care of things, the man from Pattukotai district in Tamil Nadu said that he has been in continuous pain and needs to have his kneecap replaced.
The medical claim was reportedly filed in March last year, but the case is yet to be settled, according to him.
Mr Selvaraj's situation is not unique.
Other workers have hit snags in their career here too and, in some cases, they are repatriated before they lodge a complaint with the Ministry Of Manpower (MOM).
When workers do lodge official complaints with MOM, their work permits are immediately cancelled and special passes are issued, which allows them to stay in Singapore until their cases are resolved.
This takes time.
As special pass holders are legally prohibited from working, many end up sleeping on pavements and under shelters, often without food, as they wait for legal clarity.
Mr Shan has teamed up with non-governmental organisation Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) and One Singapore (an organisation aimed at alleviating world poverty) to help these people.
And since March 2008 they have been providing free meals for these workers at his Sutha's Restaurant in Cuff Road as part of The Cuff Road Project, a joint initiative by TWC2 and One Singapore.
That was around the time a few volunteers spotted groups of men sleeping on pavements in Little India. On closer investigation, it became apparent that the men were all on special passes, with nowhere to stay and hardly any food to eat.
And so the project was born.
The aim: To provide good meals in a safe environment, where the men can eat with dignity.
So intent is TWC2 and Mr Shan on providing these workers with some dignity that he even closes his restaurant to normal customers twice a day. "I'm happy to help them. My other customers know that I do this, and so at certain times of the day, they don't come here," he says.
Other charitable organisations hand out food packets on the street but the workers have found a temporary refuge from their problems inside Sutha's, where they can linger over their meals and enjoy some companionship. This does affect Mr Shan's business but he doesn't mind.
Sutha's serves over 200 such meals daily, with breakfast mainly consisting of two thosais or uttapams, and free flow of coffee or tea. Often, dinner is rice, egg or chicken and a vegetable curry. So far, The Cuff Road Project is surviving on donations alone. A standard meal costs about $2 except for special days when sponsors step in to pay for $3 meals.
Since its inception in 2004, TWC2 has been a helpline for many. Taking the cue from its forerunner, The Working Committee 2, its volunteers are committed to the welfare of migrant and transient workers. And it has grown to become a valuable source of information for the authorities, employment agencies as well as the public.
One of the people working very hard on The Cuff Road Project is Ms Asha Nathirmal. And when she presented this story of broke and starving workers to her fellow members at the Inner Wheel Club East, they were shocked.
Fellow volunteer and Inner Wheel Club East member Vinita Wadhwani says: "Many Indians want to give, but they just don't know where or whom to give to. Now, they can give here."
The primary beneficiaries of The Cuff Road Project are Bangladeshi, Indian and Sri Lankan workers. While their individual situations vary, many are injury cases and the higher percentage of these are among the Indian workers. But one thing is common: They need help.
The injured Mr Selvaraj says: "I came here because I wanted to make money for my family, for my two sons. We have nothing else."
Does he feel like giving up, and going home? "I have already suffered for a year. I don't want to give up now," he says.
Another person who claims he suffered an on-site injury is Mr Mohar Ali.
The Bangladeshi says his skull was cracked and he had massive head injuries and, although he underwent emergency surgery soon after, no treatment or assessment has been made since.
He claims he requires follow-up surgery to have a part of his skull replaced with a titanium plate, but says his employer will not provide the hospital with a letter of guarantee.
One employer, who did not want to be identified, said that while some of the workers' cases are genuine, many use medical claims as a way to stay longer in the country and get more money. He alleged that injured workers are influenced by their lawyers.
He says: "Actually, the Workman's Compensation (WC) is a straightforward process taken care of by MOM, the employers and their insurance companies.
So why do they need lawyers?
Employers are being criticised even when they are doing what they should, he adds: "For example, there was one situation when theWC amount was mutually agreed on by all parties, including the worker. Then, suddenly, the worker and his lawyer said that they were dropping the WC and were starting civil proceedings.
"So what is the point of the WC? Who stands to gain from this? I always tell the workers, the lawyers don't work for free."
While the legal aspects are best left to the courts and the authorities, it is undeniable that these workers are fending for themselves. In fact, most of them get by on the goodwill of their friends.
Ms Debbie Fordyce, a key volunteer with TWC2 and the driving force behind The Cuff Road Project, says: "It is just amazing what their friends would do for them."
Construction worker Shyamalan, who has friends on special passes, says: "All of us on work permits do whatever we can to help our friends. Any of us could be in their situation - it's only because of luck that we are not. If I were in their situation, they would surely help me. Here, we are like a family."
The affected workers also appreciate The Cuff Road Project. "At least we have food to eat here, we don't have anything else. We sleep on the street," says one group of Tamil workers.
But TWC2 wants to do more. It says these workers need more than just food and has set up an emergency fund to help with minor medical treatment like an infected tooth or a prescription for glasses at a nearby clinic that charges $5 per patient. In the past, volunteers have also contributed phone cards to help these men communicate with their families at home.
Mrs Nathirmal says: "What would also be very useful to them are EZ link cards, so they can come and go. So many of them go back and forth from MOM and their lawyers."
200 free meals a day and... counting
The Cuff Road Project aims to let migrant workers in trouble eat with dignity. -tabla!
Fri, Jan 15, 2010
tabla!
By Malavika Nataraj
WHEN Mr S. Shanmuganathan stepped out of his restaurant in Little India, he used to spot many migrant workers sitting disconsolately on the pavement outside.
Mr Shan, as he is affectionately called by everyone, asked them why they were there... and the answer shocked him.
Most of them were penniless and hungry, and in a state of flux due to some issue with their employer.
One of them is construction worker Ramasamy Selvaraj.
He says he was badly injured in January last year by a pump left out carelessly by a co-worker during a night shift at a site here. Claiming that his employers assured him they would take care of things, the man from Pattukotai district in Tamil Nadu said that he has been in continuous pain and needs to have his kneecap replaced.
The medical claim was reportedly filed in March last year, but the case is yet to be settled, according to him.
Mr Selvaraj's situation is not unique.
Other workers have hit snags in their career here too and, in some cases, they are repatriated before they lodge a complaint with the Ministry Of Manpower (MOM).
When workers do lodge official complaints with MOM, their work permits are immediately cancelled and special passes are issued, which allows them to stay in Singapore until their cases are resolved.
This takes time.
As special pass holders are legally prohibited from working, many end up sleeping on pavements and under shelters, often without food, as they wait for legal clarity.
Mr Shan has teamed up with non-governmental organisation Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) and One Singapore (an organisation aimed at alleviating world poverty) to help these people.
And since March 2008 they have been providing free meals for these workers at his Sutha's Restaurant in Cuff Road as part of The Cuff Road Project, a joint initiative by TWC2 and One Singapore.
That was around the time a few volunteers spotted groups of men sleeping on pavements in Little India. On closer investigation, it became apparent that the men were all on special passes, with nowhere to stay and hardly any food to eat.
And so the project was born.
The aim: To provide good meals in a safe environment, where the men can eat with dignity.
So intent is TWC2 and Mr Shan on providing these workers with some dignity that he even closes his restaurant to normal customers twice a day. "I'm happy to help them. My other customers know that I do this, and so at certain times of the day, they don't come here," he says.
Other charitable organisations hand out food packets on the street but the workers have found a temporary refuge from their problems inside Sutha's, where they can linger over their meals and enjoy some companionship. This does affect Mr Shan's business but he doesn't mind.
Sutha's serves over 200 such meals daily, with breakfast mainly consisting of two thosais or uttapams, and free flow of coffee or tea. Often, dinner is rice, egg or chicken and a vegetable curry. So far, The Cuff Road Project is surviving on donations alone. A standard meal costs about $2 except for special days when sponsors step in to pay for $3 meals.
Since its inception in 2004, TWC2 has been a helpline for many. Taking the cue from its forerunner, The Working Committee 2, its volunteers are committed to the welfare of migrant and transient workers. And it has grown to become a valuable source of information for the authorities, employment agencies as well as the public.
One of the people working very hard on The Cuff Road Project is Ms Asha Nathirmal. And when she presented this story of broke and starving workers to her fellow members at the Inner Wheel Club East, they were shocked.
Fellow volunteer and Inner Wheel Club East member Vinita Wadhwani says: "Many Indians want to give, but they just don't know where or whom to give to. Now, they can give here."
The primary beneficiaries of The Cuff Road Project are Bangladeshi, Indian and Sri Lankan workers. While their individual situations vary, many are injury cases and the higher percentage of these are among the Indian workers. But one thing is common: They need help.
The injured Mr Selvaraj says: "I came here because I wanted to make money for my family, for my two sons. We have nothing else."
Does he feel like giving up, and going home? "I have already suffered for a year. I don't want to give up now," he says.
Another person who claims he suffered an on-site injury is Mr Mohar Ali.
The Bangladeshi says his skull was cracked and he had massive head injuries and, although he underwent emergency surgery soon after, no treatment or assessment has been made since.
He claims he requires follow-up surgery to have a part of his skull replaced with a titanium plate, but says his employer will not provide the hospital with a letter of guarantee.
One employer, who did not want to be identified, said that while some of the workers' cases are genuine, many use medical claims as a way to stay longer in the country and get more money. He alleged that injured workers are influenced by their lawyers.
He says: "Actually, the Workman's Compensation (WC) is a straightforward process taken care of by MOM, the employers and their insurance companies.
So why do they need lawyers?
Employers are being criticised even when they are doing what they should, he adds: "For example, there was one situation when theWC amount was mutually agreed on by all parties, including the worker. Then, suddenly, the worker and his lawyer said that they were dropping the WC and were starting civil proceedings.
"So what is the point of the WC? Who stands to gain from this? I always tell the workers, the lawyers don't work for free."
While the legal aspects are best left to the courts and the authorities, it is undeniable that these workers are fending for themselves. In fact, most of them get by on the goodwill of their friends.
Ms Debbie Fordyce, a key volunteer with TWC2 and the driving force behind The Cuff Road Project, says: "It is just amazing what their friends would do for them."
Construction worker Shyamalan, who has friends on special passes, says: "All of us on work permits do whatever we can to help our friends. Any of us could be in their situation - it's only because of luck that we are not. If I were in their situation, they would surely help me. Here, we are like a family."
The affected workers also appreciate The Cuff Road Project. "At least we have food to eat here, we don't have anything else. We sleep on the street," says one group of Tamil workers.
But TWC2 wants to do more. It says these workers need more than just food and has set up an emergency fund to help with minor medical treatment like an infected tooth or a prescription for glasses at a nearby clinic that charges $5 per patient. In the past, volunteers have also contributed phone cards to help these men communicate with their families at home.
Mrs Nathirmal says: "What would also be very useful to them are EZ link cards, so they can come and go. So many of them go back and forth from MOM and their lawyers."
Thursday, January 14, 2010
More protection for migrant workers?
The following article was published in TODAY on 14 Jan 2010.
More protection for migrant workers
Jan 14, 2010
TODAY
To require employers to pay their foreign workers' salaries promptly, Singapore authorities on Jan 1 implemented a new security bond condition. This, said Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, is one of several ways in which better protection has been accorded to migrant workers.
Enforcement against errant employers intensified: Last year, 226 were prosecuted for offences such as unpaid salaries, while 11 employment agencies had their licences revoked and security deposits forfeited.
Two agencies were convicted and 33 sternly warned and issued demerit points, for withholding the passports of foreign workers. Two more agencies are now facing charges and eight others are under probe.
More protection for migrant workers
Jan 14, 2010
TODAY
To require employers to pay their foreign workers' salaries promptly, Singapore authorities on Jan 1 implemented a new security bond condition. This, said Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, is one of several ways in which better protection has been accorded to migrant workers.
Enforcement against errant employers intensified: Last year, 226 were prosecuted for offences such as unpaid salaries, while 11 employment agencies had their licences revoked and security deposits forfeited.
Two agencies were convicted and 33 sternly warned and issued demerit points, for withholding the passports of foreign workers. Two more agencies are now facing charges and eight others are under probe.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Prosecute Employers Who Use Illegal and Exploitative Employment Contracts
The following letter was published in TODAY on 12 Jan 2010.
Stricter measures needed
Letter from Stephanie Chok
Jan 12, 2010
TODAY
I REFER to "When it does not add up" (Jan 11). As a volunteer with non-government organisations dealing with migrant workers, I have met many foreign workers bound by similar contracts which violate the Employment Act and international labour laws. Such contracts should be illegal.
Yet, I have seen many foreign workers enter "mediations" at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and be told: "But you signed the contract". There is no recognition of the coercion involved when workers are asked to sign contracts at the airport, after they have paid extortionate amounts of money to recruitment agents.
Also, a "negotiation" strategy is often favoured during mediations, when what is required is an enforcement of existing legislation. It should not be left to employers to decide whether and when they will not comply with the Employment Act.
What is the point of workers making appointments to see MOM officers only to have to "negotiate" or plead for mere compliance with the law? The quoted employer attempts to legitimise such unlawful contracts by insinuating such workers must be 'managed' and that employers have spent lots of money training them.
These workers also spend a lot of money on agency fees. They have to foot the costs of living expenses during their required training period in China. Upon arrival, they are made to work seven days a week, 12 hours or more a day, chalking up more than 350 hours a month - with no overtime or holiday pay or designated rest days.
"Managing" large numbers of employees may be challenging and the pressure to complete projects real. But do we allow unethical and illegal business practices to persist regardless?
Labour laws exist for a reason - to protect workers from abusive employer practices and ensure certain labour standards are maintained.
This is also in the interest of harmonious labour relations, which Singapore prides itself on.
If Singapore is genuine about becoming a "choice destination for migrant workers", I urge MOM to take a strong stand against employers and agents who show scant regard for the basic dignity of workers as well as local labour laws.
Publicly meting out the stipulated fines and jail sentences should act as preliminary deterrents. Raising punitive measures, hopefully, will take place in future.
Stricter measures needed
Letter from Stephanie Chok
Jan 12, 2010
TODAY
I REFER to "When it does not add up" (Jan 11). As a volunteer with non-government organisations dealing with migrant workers, I have met many foreign workers bound by similar contracts which violate the Employment Act and international labour laws. Such contracts should be illegal.
Yet, I have seen many foreign workers enter "mediations" at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and be told: "But you signed the contract". There is no recognition of the coercion involved when workers are asked to sign contracts at the airport, after they have paid extortionate amounts of money to recruitment agents.
Also, a "negotiation" strategy is often favoured during mediations, when what is required is an enforcement of existing legislation. It should not be left to employers to decide whether and when they will not comply with the Employment Act.
What is the point of workers making appointments to see MOM officers only to have to "negotiate" or plead for mere compliance with the law? The quoted employer attempts to legitimise such unlawful contracts by insinuating such workers must be 'managed' and that employers have spent lots of money training them.
These workers also spend a lot of money on agency fees. They have to foot the costs of living expenses during their required training period in China. Upon arrival, they are made to work seven days a week, 12 hours or more a day, chalking up more than 350 hours a month - with no overtime or holiday pay or designated rest days.
"Managing" large numbers of employees may be challenging and the pressure to complete projects real. But do we allow unethical and illegal business practices to persist regardless?
Labour laws exist for a reason - to protect workers from abusive employer practices and ensure certain labour standards are maintained.
This is also in the interest of harmonious labour relations, which Singapore prides itself on.
If Singapore is genuine about becoming a "choice destination for migrant workers", I urge MOM to take a strong stand against employers and agents who show scant regard for the basic dignity of workers as well as local labour laws.
Publicly meting out the stipulated fines and jail sentences should act as preliminary deterrents. Raising punitive measures, hopefully, will take place in future.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Raise wages and reduce reliance on easily exploited foreign labour
This online letter was first published in TODAY online on 11 Jan 2010.
Time to ease away from foreign workers
Letter from Rick Lim Say Kiong
Jan 11, 2010
The Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) investigation into the unfavourable terms and conditions of foreign workers' employment contracts is a cause of concern ("When it does not add up", Jan 11).
Considering that many employers and their respective industries are heavily dependent on foreign labour, this could just be the tip of the iceberg.
It seems that some unscrupulous employers want cheap, foreign labour, but are unwilling to put in the time and effort to effectively manage them. Instead, they rely on deception and empty threats to coerce workers into submission - even before they arrive on the shores of Singapore.
One employer defended the use of punitive terms in her company's contracts by saying, "You have to manage (the workers), otherwise they'll take advantage of the employer and whatever loopholes in the law".
I am perturbed by what she means by "manage the workers". Does she believe that deceiving and intimidating foreign workers are considered good management methods? Does not the conveying of false information to workers constitute an infraction of their employment rights?
Also, what does she mean by "loopholes in the law"? Isn't our Employment Act robust and valid enough in protecting the employment rights of all workers in Singapore? Maybe this is a case of errant employers who seek such "loopholes" to intimate their less-knowledgeable workers.
Singaporean workers are perceived by deceitful employers as being more difficult to manage, in the sense that they know where and when to seek recourse if they feel that they are not getting justified payments or if they feel beleaguered; for foreign workers, the perception is that as long as they are paid meagre salaries (amounts that can barely support local workers) and kept on their toes with threats, then they can be easily controlled for the duration of their work permits.
Poor management of foreign workers is not the only undesired effect created by industries dependent on them for manpower.
Because of these employers' heavy reliance on foreign workers as cheap labour, normally they would bring in the maximum number allowed within MOM's sector-specific restrictions. For example, service-sector companies are allowed to employ foreign workers on work permits up to 50 per cent of the company's total workforce.
Hence, more often than not, these employers will try to max out this figure instead of coming out with effective manpower strategies that focus on attracting more locals to the job vacancies. This leads to a perennial dependency mindset that foreign workers can always be depended upon to make up the remaining 50 per cent of manpower.
Some sagacious minds have ruminated the possibility that if employers offer higher salaries for hard-to-fill vacancies such as those in services and construction sectors, then locals will be enticed to apply for them. Well, we will never know if this suggestion will come to fruition if employers continue to hold the mentality that foreign workers are just an air-ticket and a levy payment away, won't we?
It may sound like I am labouring the point, but it is time Singapore employers ease themselves away from their heavy reliance on foreign labour and look into judicious strategies to increase their manpower with local workers - strategies that include, among other things, better remuneration, benefits and people management.
Time to ease away from foreign workers
Letter from Rick Lim Say Kiong
Jan 11, 2010
The Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) investigation into the unfavourable terms and conditions of foreign workers' employment contracts is a cause of concern ("When it does not add up", Jan 11).
Considering that many employers and their respective industries are heavily dependent on foreign labour, this could just be the tip of the iceberg.
It seems that some unscrupulous employers want cheap, foreign labour, but are unwilling to put in the time and effort to effectively manage them. Instead, they rely on deception and empty threats to coerce workers into submission - even before they arrive on the shores of Singapore.
One employer defended the use of punitive terms in her company's contracts by saying, "You have to manage (the workers), otherwise they'll take advantage of the employer and whatever loopholes in the law".
I am perturbed by what she means by "manage the workers". Does she believe that deceiving and intimidating foreign workers are considered good management methods? Does not the conveying of false information to workers constitute an infraction of their employment rights?
Also, what does she mean by "loopholes in the law"? Isn't our Employment Act robust and valid enough in protecting the employment rights of all workers in Singapore? Maybe this is a case of errant employers who seek such "loopholes" to intimate their less-knowledgeable workers.
Singaporean workers are perceived by deceitful employers as being more difficult to manage, in the sense that they know where and when to seek recourse if they feel that they are not getting justified payments or if they feel beleaguered; for foreign workers, the perception is that as long as they are paid meagre salaries (amounts that can barely support local workers) and kept on their toes with threats, then they can be easily controlled for the duration of their work permits.
Poor management of foreign workers is not the only undesired effect created by industries dependent on them for manpower.
Because of these employers' heavy reliance on foreign workers as cheap labour, normally they would bring in the maximum number allowed within MOM's sector-specific restrictions. For example, service-sector companies are allowed to employ foreign workers on work permits up to 50 per cent of the company's total workforce.
Hence, more often than not, these employers will try to max out this figure instead of coming out with effective manpower strategies that focus on attracting more locals to the job vacancies. This leads to a perennial dependency mindset that foreign workers can always be depended upon to make up the remaining 50 per cent of manpower.
Some sagacious minds have ruminated the possibility that if employers offer higher salaries for hard-to-fill vacancies such as those in services and construction sectors, then locals will be enticed to apply for them. Well, we will never know if this suggestion will come to fruition if employers continue to hold the mentality that foreign workers are just an air-ticket and a levy payment away, won't we?
It may sound like I am labouring the point, but it is time Singapore employers ease themselves away from their heavy reliance on foreign labour and look into judicious strategies to increase their manpower with local workers - strategies that include, among other things, better remuneration, benefits and people management.
When it does not add up
The following article was published in TODAY on 11 Jan 2010.
When it does not add up
by Esther Ng
TODAY
SINGAPORE - What would you do if your employment contract said that if you get injured at work, the hospitalisation bill would be docked from your pay? And that you would not be paid during your recuperation?
On top of that, you would have to pay your employer $200 a month for not fulfilling your contract.
And you can forget about taking your complaints to the authorities on anything about the company. Otherwise you would have to pay for your employer's legal, transport and administrative costs of between $100 and $300 a day.
Some employment contracts say this: Workers shall not "raise their voice to scold management, nor shall they be unreasonable, crack indecent jokes, intimidate or threaten others".
The penalty is a $100 fine each time.
These were among the terms and conditions found in contracts for foreign workers of two companies, which MediaCorp obtained copies of.
Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (Home) executive director Jolovan Wham said there are more such examples.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is now investigating two cases, Shande Construction and China Shanghai Group Corporation for Foreign Economic and Technological Cooperation.
It has said that only the minimum standards spelt out in the Employment Act are acceptable.
"Any term less favourable is deemed null and void, and therefore unenforceable," a spokeswoman said.
"The Ministry will advise the employers to remove or amend the employment terms which are not in line with our employment laws."
But many foreign workers are unaware of MOM's stand and sign their contracts at the airport, just before they depart for Singapore.
One worker, who wanted to be known only as Mr Liu, had a contract stating that he signed the document "after multiple reading and was not under any pressure or inducement".
"(But) I was told that if I don't sign the contract, I'll not be able to go overseas to work.
"And if I didn't sign the same contract in Singapore, I was told I'd have to return to China," said the worker,who is in his 30s.
When contacted, a spokeswoman from Shande denied that their contracts contained such terms.
Another employer, who did not want to be named, said that punitive terms in a contract serve as a "discouragement" more than anything else.
"You have to manage (the workers), otherwise they'll take advantage of the employer and whatever loopholes in the law," said the China national of her countrymen.
"They're mostly farmers, and we spend a lot of money training them in China before they come here ... Then after a few months, they want to leave or are poached illegally by other contractors. Some even deliberately injure themselves so that they don't need to work."
Taking out a file, she showed MediaCorp how one worker who fractured his left thumb received 577 days of medical leave from Changi General Hospital.
The MOM does advise employers to enter into written contracts with their workers, "to enhance mutual understanding and minimise employment disputes" and offers a sample on its website.
"The parties are otherwise free to agree on other terms of employment to suit different employment needs varying across companies, but employers should ensure that the terms are fair and reasonable to both parties," said the spokeswoman.
Migrant welfare organisation Maruah would like the ministry to go one step further.
"There should be a standardised contract which comes under the law, in which terms like annual, medical leave are spelt out, and guidelines on wages similar to the National Wages Council," said Maruah chairman Braema Mathi.
Member of Parliament Yeo Guat Kwang believes that workers' agents "should be informing them of their rights".
"As for employers, they have no excuse - the Employment Act covers both local and foreign workers," said Mr Yeo, who is also chairman of Migrant Workers' Centre.
"We've been trying to build Singapore as the choice destination for migrant workers. So we would like to remind employers it is their responsibility to look after the well-being of their workers."
Currently, MOM hands out a guide book to workers, listing their rights, when they arrive here. The book is in Thai, Bengali, Tamil and Chinese.
Such information can also be found on phone calling cards and on posters at selected bus stops and MRT stations.
Mr Liu told MediaCorp he received the guide, but cannot remember its contents.
"I know I'm protected under the Employment Act, but I was told that contracts are valid under Singapore laws.
"Others tell me that the contracts are unenforceable, but I dare not try my luck to challenge my employer, as I've already incurred a heavy debt in agent fees," he said.
MOM advises workers whose employment terms do not meet the law's minimum standards to make an e-appointment at www.mom.gov.sg or to call the ministry at 6438 5122.
Employers who do not heed MOM's warning to rectify employment terms can be fined up to $5,000 or a jailed up to 6 months or both, for first-time offenders.
When it does not add up
by Esther Ng
TODAY
SINGAPORE - What would you do if your employment contract said that if you get injured at work, the hospitalisation bill would be docked from your pay? And that you would not be paid during your recuperation?
On top of that, you would have to pay your employer $200 a month for not fulfilling your contract.
And you can forget about taking your complaints to the authorities on anything about the company. Otherwise you would have to pay for your employer's legal, transport and administrative costs of between $100 and $300 a day.
Some employment contracts say this: Workers shall not "raise their voice to scold management, nor shall they be unreasonable, crack indecent jokes, intimidate or threaten others".
The penalty is a $100 fine each time.
These were among the terms and conditions found in contracts for foreign workers of two companies, which MediaCorp obtained copies of.
Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (Home) executive director Jolovan Wham said there are more such examples.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is now investigating two cases, Shande Construction and China Shanghai Group Corporation for Foreign Economic and Technological Cooperation.
It has said that only the minimum standards spelt out in the Employment Act are acceptable.
"Any term less favourable is deemed null and void, and therefore unenforceable," a spokeswoman said.
"The Ministry will advise the employers to remove or amend the employment terms which are not in line with our employment laws."
But many foreign workers are unaware of MOM's stand and sign their contracts at the airport, just before they depart for Singapore.
One worker, who wanted to be known only as Mr Liu, had a contract stating that he signed the document "after multiple reading and was not under any pressure or inducement".
"(But) I was told that if I don't sign the contract, I'll not be able to go overseas to work.
"And if I didn't sign the same contract in Singapore, I was told I'd have to return to China," said the worker,who is in his 30s.
When contacted, a spokeswoman from Shande denied that their contracts contained such terms.
Another employer, who did not want to be named, said that punitive terms in a contract serve as a "discouragement" more than anything else.
"You have to manage (the workers), otherwise they'll take advantage of the employer and whatever loopholes in the law," said the China national of her countrymen.
"They're mostly farmers, and we spend a lot of money training them in China before they come here ... Then after a few months, they want to leave or are poached illegally by other contractors. Some even deliberately injure themselves so that they don't need to work."
Taking out a file, she showed MediaCorp how one worker who fractured his left thumb received 577 days of medical leave from Changi General Hospital.
The MOM does advise employers to enter into written contracts with their workers, "to enhance mutual understanding and minimise employment disputes" and offers a sample on its website.
"The parties are otherwise free to agree on other terms of employment to suit different employment needs varying across companies, but employers should ensure that the terms are fair and reasonable to both parties," said the spokeswoman.
Migrant welfare organisation Maruah would like the ministry to go one step further.
"There should be a standardised contract which comes under the law, in which terms like annual, medical leave are spelt out, and guidelines on wages similar to the National Wages Council," said Maruah chairman Braema Mathi.
Member of Parliament Yeo Guat Kwang believes that workers' agents "should be informing them of their rights".
"As for employers, they have no excuse - the Employment Act covers both local and foreign workers," said Mr Yeo, who is also chairman of Migrant Workers' Centre.
"We've been trying to build Singapore as the choice destination for migrant workers. So we would like to remind employers it is their responsibility to look after the well-being of their workers."
Currently, MOM hands out a guide book to workers, listing their rights, when they arrive here. The book is in Thai, Bengali, Tamil and Chinese.
Such information can also be found on phone calling cards and on posters at selected bus stops and MRT stations.
Mr Liu told MediaCorp he received the guide, but cannot remember its contents.
"I know I'm protected under the Employment Act, but I was told that contracts are valid under Singapore laws.
"Others tell me that the contracts are unenforceable, but I dare not try my luck to challenge my employer, as I've already incurred a heavy debt in agent fees," he said.
MOM advises workers whose employment terms do not meet the law's minimum standards to make an e-appointment at www.mom.gov.sg or to call the ministry at 6438 5122.
Employers who do not heed MOM's warning to rectify employment terms can be fined up to $5,000 or a jailed up to 6 months or both, for first-time offenders.
Man collects money and promises jobs but fails to deliver
This article was published in TODAY on 11 Jan 2010.
I'm no cheat, man says
by Alicia Wong
SINGAPORE - They came with handwritten receipts, invoices and documents. Each hoped to get back the $700 to $1,500 they had paid for each person whom the agent had promised - but failed - to secure jobs for.
The first group of 10 foreign domestic workers (FDWs) who gathered at Lucky Plaza yesterday was joined by 15 others after Mr Abdul Rahim (not his full name) had contacted one of them, following news reports last week that a police report had been filed against him.
She was one of his "recruiters", promised $200 in commission for each person she roped in, and she had a list of people who wanted a refund, she told MediaCorp.
But there were no refunds for anyone yesterday, although Mr Abdul Rahim turned up.
At 1pm, at the shopping centre's car park, he stressed to the group and to Ms Bridget Lew, founder and president of Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (Home), that he was not trying to scam them.
According to Ms Lew, Mr Abdul Rahim said he would return about two hours later to show proof that he could find jobs for those who signed on with him. But he did not return. When contacted, he told Ms Lew he would do so on Tuesday afternoon instead, as he was "very busy".
At Home's office in Lucky Plaza, the FDWs recounted how they had been promised, half a year ago, jobs at the integrated resorts within four months. Yesterday,Mr Abdul Rahim told Ms Lew he promised jobs but not at the resorts.
He was to meet 180 applicants in Manila on Dec 28, the workers said, but he missed that date and did not pick up their calls subsequently. The applicants were supposed to fly to Singapore between Dec 29 to 31 after earlier trips were cancelled.
Ms Lew said she would inspect Mr Abdul Rahim's documents. If they do not show him to be "genuine", she will consult a lawyer.
"I don't want you to place too much hope. Once you give (away the) money, it's very hard to get back," she told the FDWs when Mr Abdul Rahim did not return. The workers believe that a few hundred people have signed on with him.
MediaCorp's calls to Mr Abdul Rahim were not answered.
The police have acknowledged receipt of the report but had no further information by press time. They have advised the person who lodged the report of her "legal options accordingly".
I'm no cheat, man says
by Alicia Wong
SINGAPORE - They came with handwritten receipts, invoices and documents. Each hoped to get back the $700 to $1,500 they had paid for each person whom the agent had promised - but failed - to secure jobs for.
The first group of 10 foreign domestic workers (FDWs) who gathered at Lucky Plaza yesterday was joined by 15 others after Mr Abdul Rahim (not his full name) had contacted one of them, following news reports last week that a police report had been filed against him.
She was one of his "recruiters", promised $200 in commission for each person she roped in, and she had a list of people who wanted a refund, she told MediaCorp.
But there were no refunds for anyone yesterday, although Mr Abdul Rahim turned up.
At 1pm, at the shopping centre's car park, he stressed to the group and to Ms Bridget Lew, founder and president of Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (Home), that he was not trying to scam them.
According to Ms Lew, Mr Abdul Rahim said he would return about two hours later to show proof that he could find jobs for those who signed on with him. But he did not return. When contacted, he told Ms Lew he would do so on Tuesday afternoon instead, as he was "very busy".
At Home's office in Lucky Plaza, the FDWs recounted how they had been promised, half a year ago, jobs at the integrated resorts within four months. Yesterday,Mr Abdul Rahim told Ms Lew he promised jobs but not at the resorts.
He was to meet 180 applicants in Manila on Dec 28, the workers said, but he missed that date and did not pick up their calls subsequently. The applicants were supposed to fly to Singapore between Dec 29 to 31 after earlier trips were cancelled.
Ms Lew said she would inspect Mr Abdul Rahim's documents. If they do not show him to be "genuine", she will consult a lawyer.
"I don't want you to place too much hope. Once you give (away the) money, it's very hard to get back," she told the FDWs when Mr Abdul Rahim did not return. The workers believe that a few hundred people have signed on with him.
MediaCorp's calls to Mr Abdul Rahim were not answered.
The police have acknowledged receipt of the report but had no further information by press time. They have advised the person who lodged the report of her "legal options accordingly".
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Don't let foreign workers become a soft option
The following article was published in the Straits Times on 9 Jan 2010.
Don't let foreign workers become a soft option
BY SUE-ANN CHIA
SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
The Straits Times
09/01/2010
Tightening the rules on hiring while keeping flexibility is the way to go
IN WELCOMING the new year, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong revisited one of last year's hottest issues that will no doubt continue to simmer in 2010: The angst among some Singaporeans about being crowded out by foreigners here.
Foreigners have been blamed for, among other things, taking away job opportunities, pushing up property prices, and filling school places at the expense of Singaporeans.
Assuring Singaporeans that they come first, PM Lee said in his New Year message that the Government will "manage and moderate" the inflow of foreign labour so that citizens will not be overwhelmed by their sheer numbers.
But the question is: Can it filter the flow of foreigners?
Ostensibly, the debate about being crowded out has been framed as one between Singaporean workers and foreigners – and sometimes between citizens and the Government.
In fact, employers are one critical player.
Alarmed by signals from officials that Singapore will need to reduce its reliance on foreign workers, they voiced off privately and spoke publicly about why they need to hire more, not fewer, foreigners to stay in business.
The Government – caught in the crossfire between the demands from Singaporeans and the business community – seems to be in a tight spot.
It has to address the concerns of Singaporeans which, if not handled well, could translate into a backlash at the ballot box.
At the same time, it also has to deal with bosses' manpower concerns and their business costs – factors that could prompt them to move operations elsewhere, to the detriment of the economy here and the livelihood of Singaporeans.
The unease over the influx of foreigners comes on the back of an economic boom. As many as 300,000 foreigners took up jobs in Singapore in 2007 and 2008.
The large numbers have strained infrastructure and caused some social tension. Since last year, the Government has spoken about the need to keep a lid on foreigner numbers.
This however has caused some anxiety among employers. A survey released last month by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) showed that almost half the 328 companies that responded were "unsatisfied" with the foreign worker policy.
One main source of their dissatisfaction: inflexibility in the rules, which bar them from hiring more foreigners to fill jobs which they say Singaporeans shun.
At the same time, some ministers have taken pains to stress the need for Singapore's economy to continue to be open to foreigners. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Law Minister K. Shanmugam both made this point recently.
Some had wondered then if such comments indicated that the employers' camp had won the debate on keeping Singapore's doors wide open to foreigners.
In fact, the debate over foreigners is not about whether, but how. Tiny Singapore has no choice but to augment its limited domestic labour force with foreigners. The only question is by how much, at what price, and how to integrate those who do come into society to minimise friction with locals.
This is by no means a new issue, but the indication is that the Government is more committed this time to tightening the tap on foreign talent, partly because the inflow has been so plentiful the last two years.
How it goes about doing this depends on employers and Singaporean workers.
Companies need to boost labour productivity so they can produce more with less – and need fewer foreign workers.
The Government is expected to introduce incentives in the coming Budget to help companies do so.
On its part, the Government will have to calibrate foreign worker policies to make them not only more flexible, but more targeted. This requires a differentiated policy towards different tiers of workers.
For low-skilled foreigners – who have been blamed for keeping wages low for certain jobs and turning Singaporeans off these poor-paying positions – there could be measures to prevent them from dragging down overall salaries.
One way is to raise their levy so that the total cost of hiring a foreigner is nearly similar to that of a Singaporean. This move could prompt companies to find new ways to boost productivity, instead of opting for cheaper foreign workers.
For semi-skilled jobs, such as those in the services sector, there could be tighter controls on the number of foreigners in jobs which can and ought to be filled with Singaporeans.
Companies could work with national job placement and training institutes like the labour movement's e2i or the Community Development Councils to find and retrain Singaporeans for these jobs first, before opening the vacancies to foreigners.
While rules are tightened, the Government can remain responsive to business needs by having different foreign worker caps for different types of companies.
The quota is now set according to sectors such as construction, manufacturing and services.
But within the sectors, there are many types of businesses which have different manpower demands. The services sector includes financial firms such as banks, and those in the hospitality line like hotels and restaurants. These obviously have different manpower needs.
The tap should also tighten for foreign professionals and skilled talent, which employers can now hire without being subject to any quota or levy. For example, companies can review their hiring processes to give equal opportunities to Singaporeans, especially in positions that they have the skills for.
These suggestions are not meant to be onerous on employers. Singapore workers too must be open to retraining and trying out jobs.
The key to tweaks in the foreign worker policy is that hiring foreigners should not be viewed as a cheaper or easier option for employers.
Don't let foreign workers become a soft option
BY SUE-ANN CHIA
SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
The Straits Times
09/01/2010
Tightening the rules on hiring while keeping flexibility is the way to go
IN WELCOMING the new year, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong revisited one of last year's hottest issues that will no doubt continue to simmer in 2010: The angst among some Singaporeans about being crowded out by foreigners here.
Foreigners have been blamed for, among other things, taking away job opportunities, pushing up property prices, and filling school places at the expense of Singaporeans.
Assuring Singaporeans that they come first, PM Lee said in his New Year message that the Government will "manage and moderate" the inflow of foreign labour so that citizens will not be overwhelmed by their sheer numbers.
But the question is: Can it filter the flow of foreigners?
Ostensibly, the debate about being crowded out has been framed as one between Singaporean workers and foreigners – and sometimes between citizens and the Government.
In fact, employers are one critical player.
Alarmed by signals from officials that Singapore will need to reduce its reliance on foreign workers, they voiced off privately and spoke publicly about why they need to hire more, not fewer, foreigners to stay in business.
The Government – caught in the crossfire between the demands from Singaporeans and the business community – seems to be in a tight spot.
It has to address the concerns of Singaporeans which, if not handled well, could translate into a backlash at the ballot box.
At the same time, it also has to deal with bosses' manpower concerns and their business costs – factors that could prompt them to move operations elsewhere, to the detriment of the economy here and the livelihood of Singaporeans.
The unease over the influx of foreigners comes on the back of an economic boom. As many as 300,000 foreigners took up jobs in Singapore in 2007 and 2008.
The large numbers have strained infrastructure and caused some social tension. Since last year, the Government has spoken about the need to keep a lid on foreigner numbers.
This however has caused some anxiety among employers. A survey released last month by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) showed that almost half the 328 companies that responded were "unsatisfied" with the foreign worker policy.
One main source of their dissatisfaction: inflexibility in the rules, which bar them from hiring more foreigners to fill jobs which they say Singaporeans shun.
At the same time, some ministers have taken pains to stress the need for Singapore's economy to continue to be open to foreigners. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Law Minister K. Shanmugam both made this point recently.
Some had wondered then if such comments indicated that the employers' camp had won the debate on keeping Singapore's doors wide open to foreigners.
In fact, the debate over foreigners is not about whether, but how. Tiny Singapore has no choice but to augment its limited domestic labour force with foreigners. The only question is by how much, at what price, and how to integrate those who do come into society to minimise friction with locals.
This is by no means a new issue, but the indication is that the Government is more committed this time to tightening the tap on foreign talent, partly because the inflow has been so plentiful the last two years.
How it goes about doing this depends on employers and Singaporean workers.
Companies need to boost labour productivity so they can produce more with less – and need fewer foreign workers.
The Government is expected to introduce incentives in the coming Budget to help companies do so.
On its part, the Government will have to calibrate foreign worker policies to make them not only more flexible, but more targeted. This requires a differentiated policy towards different tiers of workers.
For low-skilled foreigners – who have been blamed for keeping wages low for certain jobs and turning Singaporeans off these poor-paying positions – there could be measures to prevent them from dragging down overall salaries.
One way is to raise their levy so that the total cost of hiring a foreigner is nearly similar to that of a Singaporean. This move could prompt companies to find new ways to boost productivity, instead of opting for cheaper foreign workers.
For semi-skilled jobs, such as those in the services sector, there could be tighter controls on the number of foreigners in jobs which can and ought to be filled with Singaporeans.
Companies could work with national job placement and training institutes like the labour movement's e2i or the Community Development Councils to find and retrain Singaporeans for these jobs first, before opening the vacancies to foreigners.
While rules are tightened, the Government can remain responsive to business needs by having different foreign worker caps for different types of companies.
The quota is now set according to sectors such as construction, manufacturing and services.
But within the sectors, there are many types of businesses which have different manpower demands. The services sector includes financial firms such as banks, and those in the hospitality line like hotels and restaurants. These obviously have different manpower needs.
The tap should also tighten for foreign professionals and skilled talent, which employers can now hire without being subject to any quota or levy. For example, companies can review their hiring processes to give equal opportunities to Singaporeans, especially in positions that they have the skills for.
These suggestions are not meant to be onerous on employers. Singapore workers too must be open to retraining and trying out jobs.
The key to tweaks in the foreign worker policy is that hiring foreigners should not be viewed as a cheaper or easier option for employers.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Worker dies after falling through workshop roof
The following article was published in The Straits Times on 8 Jan 2010.
Worker dies after falling through workshop roof
By SUJIN THOMAS
The Straits Times, Home, C2
08/01/2010
YET another life was lost at a worksite yesterday as the result of a fall from a height.
Thai worker Janta Cakaphab fell through the roof of a workshop in Sembawang Shipyard, where he was carrying out demolition works at about 6pm.
It was not known what caused the fall or how far he fell. Mr Janta, who police said was hired by an external construction contractor, was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7.20pm.
The Ministry of Manpower has suspended work at the scene while investigations are under way.
The death comes within a month of a blitz by Manpower Ministry inspectors to root out safety lapses at worksites that could result in falls from a height.
Such mishaps are the No. 1 cause of deaths at worksites here.
Over three days last month, inspectors handed out 72 warnings to contractors and served summonses for 107 fines.
The fine amounts have yet to be fixed, but they can be as high as $5,000 for each violation.
A national task force formed last August identified smaller worksites with projects worth $5 million or less as being more accident-prone. This is because they usually devote fewer resources to worker safety.
The last reported death from a fall came from the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort worksite.
On Sept 17 last year, a construction worker lost his balance and fell off a work platform there.
Worker dies after falling through workshop roof
By SUJIN THOMAS
The Straits Times, Home, C2
08/01/2010
YET another life was lost at a worksite yesterday as the result of a fall from a height.
Thai worker Janta Cakaphab fell through the roof of a workshop in Sembawang Shipyard, where he was carrying out demolition works at about 6pm.
It was not known what caused the fall or how far he fell. Mr Janta, who police said was hired by an external construction contractor, was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7.20pm.
The Ministry of Manpower has suspended work at the scene while investigations are under way.
The death comes within a month of a blitz by Manpower Ministry inspectors to root out safety lapses at worksites that could result in falls from a height.
Such mishaps are the No. 1 cause of deaths at worksites here.
Over three days last month, inspectors handed out 72 warnings to contractors and served summonses for 107 fines.
The fine amounts have yet to be fixed, but they can be as high as $5,000 for each violation.
A national task force formed last August identified smaller worksites with projects worth $5 million or less as being more accident-prone. This is because they usually devote fewer resources to worker safety.
The last reported death from a fall came from the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort worksite.
On Sept 17 last year, a construction worker lost his balance and fell off a work platform there.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Singapore Customs turns 100
The following article was published in the Straits Times on 4 Jan 2010.
Singapore Customs turns 100
By TEH JOO LIN, KIMBERLY SPYKERMAN
The Straits Times
04/01/2010
It ensures safe and secure trading of goods in its role as facilitator
SINGAPORE Customs, a department of the Ministry of Finance, marks its 100th year this week, but most people are hazy about the work it does.
And small wonder too, for the Customs – one of the oldest government departments here – has undergone changes to its name, address and roles for a few times over the decades.
It has in the last century regulated everything from opium and fireworks to even playing cards.
More recently, when Customs officers made the news, it is usually in connection with their clampdowns on illegal cigarette smugglers – to the point that some have come to think this is the department's only job.
It is a perception that the department is keen to correct, involved as it is in the smoothening of the flow of trade with other countries.
In Singapore, where the economic engine hums along on the flow of goods – external trade in 2008 was nearly $1 trillion, 3.6 times the gross domestic product – this role definitely extends beyond nabbing cigarette smugglers.
Singapore Customs had its start in 1910 as the Government Monopolies Department. Its business then was in regulating the trade in opium, which was popular among Chinese immigrants.
This was before the days of the Central Narcotics Bureau. An anti-narcotics team was set up within the department in 1954 to battle the trade in and abuse of all drugs.
As time went by, the department added regulating the trade in fireworks and playing cards to its jurisdiction.
In the 1930s, it was renamed the Department of Customs & Excise to reflect the colonial government's increasing reliance on tobacco, petrol and liquor duties for revenue.
Its current name came about in 2003. It was also the year the job of border security was hived off it and given to the newly formed Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. This left Customs better able to focus on its role as trade facilitator.
The department's director-general, Mr Fong Yong Kian, boils down its role to that of making it easy, safe and secure for traders to import and export goods.
Speaking in an interview with The Straits Times to mark the department's centennial, he noted that Singapore Customs' duty is to keep trade flowing smoothly for the vast majority of traders who are law-abiding.
"But the very few who want to undermine the system because they don't want to obey the rules – those are the ones we take to task and we try to correct the situation," he said.
Using the analogy of a highway, he explained that expressways are built so vehicles can travel as quickly as possible, but having such roads does not mean that rules – those on speed limits, for example – go out the window.
Comparing Singapore Customs to the builder of Singapore's trade highway, he said: "Can you imagine if there're no traffic rules on our expressway? That'll create chaos. When that happens, the entire trade system will go down."
Facilitating trade movements for the majority while rooting out the rule-breakers has been effective in the fight against contraband cigarette smuggling, he noted.
Signs have surfaced that smokers are turning away from smoking contraband: Duties collected for legitimate cigarettes rose by 10 per cent in 2008, and by five per cent the year before. The figure for last year will be released this month.
This is the result of the work of enforcement officers who, for example, visit foreign worker dormitories and schools in high-risk areas to educate people about the consequences of smuggling and peddling duty-unpaid cigarettes.
Snuffing out contraband smuggling gained significance after the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which put the spotlight on movements of illegal materials with the potential to cause mass destruction.
"If a packet of illegal cigarettes can come in, more dangerous substances can also be brought in," said Mr Fong.
Considering that Singapore Customs deals with 10 million trade declarations a year, it is a matter of pride that nine in 10 are approved in 10 minutes, he added.
That one suspicious consignment in 10 that does not get cleared quickly is flagged for closer scrutiny. Customs then does a risk assessment and draws on intelligence and cooperation from other government agencies.
To facilitate this trade process, the department has gone the way of the banks, in that it has a pool of "relationship managers" to forge closer ties with the trading community.
Since 2008, 25 managers have played the role of personal assistant to clients from more than 200 major businesses, offering personalised services to answer queries and expedite processes.
These companies include those involved in air freight, logistics, petroleum and warehouse operations.
Air freight company FedEx, for example, said its relationship manager keeps it abreast of regulatory requirements and coordinates with government agencies such as the National Environment Agency and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore. This is to ensure that the company meets their regulatory requirements as well.
Trade facilitation efforts do not stop at home. Weaknesses in the links in the supply chain can be exploited as goods move across borders, making cooperation among countries crucial.
Customs is setting up mutual recognition arrangements with its counterparts abroad, so exports are cleared faster.
Mr Fong said: "We see ourselves as connectors between Singapore's economy and the rest of the world. Within Singapore, we already have a world-class system... so our strategic thrust has been giving our traders an extra edge when they penetrate the overseas market."
Singapore Customs turns 100
By TEH JOO LIN, KIMBERLY SPYKERMAN
The Straits Times
04/01/2010
It ensures safe and secure trading of goods in its role as facilitator
SINGAPORE Customs, a department of the Ministry of Finance, marks its 100th year this week, but most people are hazy about the work it does.
And small wonder too, for the Customs – one of the oldest government departments here – has undergone changes to its name, address and roles for a few times over the decades.
It has in the last century regulated everything from opium and fireworks to even playing cards.
More recently, when Customs officers made the news, it is usually in connection with their clampdowns on illegal cigarette smugglers – to the point that some have come to think this is the department's only job.
It is a perception that the department is keen to correct, involved as it is in the smoothening of the flow of trade with other countries.
In Singapore, where the economic engine hums along on the flow of goods – external trade in 2008 was nearly $1 trillion, 3.6 times the gross domestic product – this role definitely extends beyond nabbing cigarette smugglers.
Singapore Customs had its start in 1910 as the Government Monopolies Department. Its business then was in regulating the trade in opium, which was popular among Chinese immigrants.
This was before the days of the Central Narcotics Bureau. An anti-narcotics team was set up within the department in 1954 to battle the trade in and abuse of all drugs.
As time went by, the department added regulating the trade in fireworks and playing cards to its jurisdiction.
In the 1930s, it was renamed the Department of Customs & Excise to reflect the colonial government's increasing reliance on tobacco, petrol and liquor duties for revenue.
Its current name came about in 2003. It was also the year the job of border security was hived off it and given to the newly formed Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. This left Customs better able to focus on its role as trade facilitator.
The department's director-general, Mr Fong Yong Kian, boils down its role to that of making it easy, safe and secure for traders to import and export goods.
Speaking in an interview with The Straits Times to mark the department's centennial, he noted that Singapore Customs' duty is to keep trade flowing smoothly for the vast majority of traders who are law-abiding.
"But the very few who want to undermine the system because they don't want to obey the rules – those are the ones we take to task and we try to correct the situation," he said.
Using the analogy of a highway, he explained that expressways are built so vehicles can travel as quickly as possible, but having such roads does not mean that rules – those on speed limits, for example – go out the window.
Comparing Singapore Customs to the builder of Singapore's trade highway, he said: "Can you imagine if there're no traffic rules on our expressway? That'll create chaos. When that happens, the entire trade system will go down."
Facilitating trade movements for the majority while rooting out the rule-breakers has been effective in the fight against contraband cigarette smuggling, he noted.
Signs have surfaced that smokers are turning away from smoking contraband: Duties collected for legitimate cigarettes rose by 10 per cent in 2008, and by five per cent the year before. The figure for last year will be released this month.
This is the result of the work of enforcement officers who, for example, visit foreign worker dormitories and schools in high-risk areas to educate people about the consequences of smuggling and peddling duty-unpaid cigarettes.
Snuffing out contraband smuggling gained significance after the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which put the spotlight on movements of illegal materials with the potential to cause mass destruction.
"If a packet of illegal cigarettes can come in, more dangerous substances can also be brought in," said Mr Fong.
Considering that Singapore Customs deals with 10 million trade declarations a year, it is a matter of pride that nine in 10 are approved in 10 minutes, he added.
That one suspicious consignment in 10 that does not get cleared quickly is flagged for closer scrutiny. Customs then does a risk assessment and draws on intelligence and cooperation from other government agencies.
To facilitate this trade process, the department has gone the way of the banks, in that it has a pool of "relationship managers" to forge closer ties with the trading community.
Since 2008, 25 managers have played the role of personal assistant to clients from more than 200 major businesses, offering personalised services to answer queries and expedite processes.
These companies include those involved in air freight, logistics, petroleum and warehouse operations.
Air freight company FedEx, for example, said its relationship manager keeps it abreast of regulatory requirements and coordinates with government agencies such as the National Environment Agency and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore. This is to ensure that the company meets their regulatory requirements as well.
Trade facilitation efforts do not stop at home. Weaknesses in the links in the supply chain can be exploited as goods move across borders, making cooperation among countries crucial.
Customs is setting up mutual recognition arrangements with its counterparts abroad, so exports are cleared faster.
Mr Fong said: "We see ourselves as connectors between Singapore's economy and the rest of the world. Within Singapore, we already have a world-class system... so our strategic thrust has been giving our traders an extra edge when they penetrate the overseas market."
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Cheap laptops for domestic workers
The following article was published in the Straits Times on 2 Jan 2010.
Cheap laptops for domestic workers
By MELISSA SIM
The Straits Times
02/01/2010
Non-profit group helps to cut electronic waste by refurbishing computers
THE world generates between 20 million and 50 million tonnes of electronic waste yearly, but old laptops here do not have to add to that junk heap.
For many living here, not-yet-obsolete computers can open new doors, and the work of extending their lifespan has become the mission of non-profit group Aidha.
Over the past six months, the group has been encouraging the public to drop off their laptops every Sunday at its office in Nassim Road. It then refurbishes and sells them to foreign domestic workers for $150 to $200.
Access to these devices, said the group's president Sarah Mavrinac, will enable users to bridge the digital divide by getting them on the Internet and plugged into the mainstream.
The organisation also provides financial education for foreign domestic workers with courses in time management, computer skills and entrepreneurship.
Last July, as a way for the independent group to make money, Dr Mavrinac decided to refurbish and sell laptops to its students, who are domestic workers mainly from Indonesia and the Philippines.
"We put up a sign, asking who might be interested and immediately, 50 women signed up," said the former lecturer, who has a doctorate in accounting from Harvard Business School and now runs Aidha full time.
It has since sold 35 refurbished laptops to its students, and is an authorised Microsoft refurbisher – it can install Microsoft software into the computers before they are sold.
If Dr Mavrinac had doubts about foreign domestic workers putting their hard-earned dollars into laptops, she realised she was on the right track when she saw their faces after they purchased one.
"They were empowered," she said.
For Ms Parwati Suhudin, 28, a foreign domestic worker from Indonesia who has lived in Singapore for eight years, the computer she bought two months ago has enabled her to keep in touch with more people, including her cousins, uncles and friends in other parts of the world.
She now uses Facebook and e-mail, and said she "can even contact friends working in South Korea".
In fact, plugging into an Internet connection in the homes they work in, or using a free wireless hot spot, is a cost-saving move for many.
Dr Mavrinac pointed out that while an SMS sent from a phone might cost about 75 cents, the same sent via the Internet costs just three to four cents.
Instead of spending up to $100 on phone calls each month, using Skype to chat for free could "reduce the cost of communication significantly, and the computer would pay for itself in a couple of months".
In addition to selling computers, Aidha educates its buyers on the dangers of electronic waste, which can release harmful toxins into the environment.
Buyers are asked to watch a video on electronic waste before taking their computers home.
The same video is installed in each computer, to prepare buyers for what to do when their laptops eventually do break down, said Dr Mavrinac.
Electronic waste makes up 5 per cent of all solid waste worldwide, and mobile phones and computers are causing the biggest problems because they are replaced so often, according to Greenpeace International.
Aidha has helped save more than 100kg of electronic waste, including those from laptops, printers and even toasters. These have been sent to an electronic waste management and recycling company which, among other things, removes metals which can be reused.
None of the e-waste goes into landfills.
"We are just a small NGO (non-governmental organisation), but we want to make sure we're environmentally friendly even at this stage," said Dr Mavrinac.
Cheap laptops for domestic workers
By MELISSA SIM
The Straits Times
02/01/2010
Non-profit group helps to cut electronic waste by refurbishing computers
THE world generates between 20 million and 50 million tonnes of electronic waste yearly, but old laptops here do not have to add to that junk heap.
For many living here, not-yet-obsolete computers can open new doors, and the work of extending their lifespan has become the mission of non-profit group Aidha.
Over the past six months, the group has been encouraging the public to drop off their laptops every Sunday at its office in Nassim Road. It then refurbishes and sells them to foreign domestic workers for $150 to $200.
Access to these devices, said the group's president Sarah Mavrinac, will enable users to bridge the digital divide by getting them on the Internet and plugged into the mainstream.
The organisation also provides financial education for foreign domestic workers with courses in time management, computer skills and entrepreneurship.
Last July, as a way for the independent group to make money, Dr Mavrinac decided to refurbish and sell laptops to its students, who are domestic workers mainly from Indonesia and the Philippines.
"We put up a sign, asking who might be interested and immediately, 50 women signed up," said the former lecturer, who has a doctorate in accounting from Harvard Business School and now runs Aidha full time.
It has since sold 35 refurbished laptops to its students, and is an authorised Microsoft refurbisher – it can install Microsoft software into the computers before they are sold.
If Dr Mavrinac had doubts about foreign domestic workers putting their hard-earned dollars into laptops, she realised she was on the right track when she saw their faces after they purchased one.
"They were empowered," she said.
For Ms Parwati Suhudin, 28, a foreign domestic worker from Indonesia who has lived in Singapore for eight years, the computer she bought two months ago has enabled her to keep in touch with more people, including her cousins, uncles and friends in other parts of the world.
She now uses Facebook and e-mail, and said she "can even contact friends working in South Korea".
In fact, plugging into an Internet connection in the homes they work in, or using a free wireless hot spot, is a cost-saving move for many.
Dr Mavrinac pointed out that while an SMS sent from a phone might cost about 75 cents, the same sent via the Internet costs just three to four cents.
Instead of spending up to $100 on phone calls each month, using Skype to chat for free could "reduce the cost of communication significantly, and the computer would pay for itself in a couple of months".
In addition to selling computers, Aidha educates its buyers on the dangers of electronic waste, which can release harmful toxins into the environment.
Buyers are asked to watch a video on electronic waste before taking their computers home.
The same video is installed in each computer, to prepare buyers for what to do when their laptops eventually do break down, said Dr Mavrinac.
Electronic waste makes up 5 per cent of all solid waste worldwide, and mobile phones and computers are causing the biggest problems because they are replaced so often, according to Greenpeace International.
Aidha has helped save more than 100kg of electronic waste, including those from laptops, printers and even toasters. These have been sent to an electronic waste management and recycling company which, among other things, removes metals which can be reused.
None of the e-waste goes into landfills.
"We are just a small NGO (non-governmental organisation), but we want to make sure we're environmentally friendly even at this stage," said Dr Mavrinac.
Friday, January 1, 2010
8 things to roar about in 2010 - Foreigners one-third of labour force
The following article was published in the Straits Times on 1 Jan 2010.
8 things to roar about in 2010
BY SUE-ANN CHIA
SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
The Straits Times
01/01/2010
A ferocious animal lurks as Singapore enters a brand new year. According to the Chinese horoscope, the lunar new year beginning on Feb 14 belongs to the Metal Tiger – an animal that has little to do with scandals but a lot to do with changes. What should Singaporeans be watching for in 2010?
1
Election watch
EVEN before the Tiger comes roaring in to usher in the Chinese New Year, Singapore is kicking off 2010 with a bang.
Proposed reforms to the electoral landscape are likely to be introduced at the next Parliament sitting in two weeks.
During the reading of the Bill, MPs will debate on these amendments: smaller group representation constituencies (GRCs), more single seat wards and greater opposition representation.
If the Bill is passed, the House, which has been dominated by the People's Action Party (PAP) since 1968, could see an influx of at least 18 non-PAP MPs. Nine will be Nominated MPs and the other nine will be opposition MPs or Non-Constituency MPs, the best losers from the opposition in a general election (GE).
While these changes would lead to more intense parliamentary debates, a new proposal aims to do the reverse: blow the heat off the hustings with a "cooling off" day so that all candidates and citizens – except the media – could take a break from the sound and fury of campaigning.
All this talk about "cooling off", however, has only served to stoke up an election fever, with some observers speculating that a GE could be just around the corner.
Some political punters are betting that it will take place as early as the first half of this year, more than a year ahead of schedule as the GE does not need to be called before February 2012.
A possible timeframe is between March and early June, after the Budget in February and before the Fifa World Cup in mid-June which will be followed by the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in August.
For the ruling party, a snap poll means catching the recovering economy on an upward trend while people are in a relatively happier mood – except for perhaps first-time home buyers. Any time later, the economy might relapse into another recession.
Other observers are more inclined to place the date towards the year end after the high of the YOG and after this year's Budget begins to bear fruit.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is not giving anything away. Asked in late November if he would call a GE this year, he replied with a laugh: "Maybe. I don't have a date for you."
There is still work to be done, he said, including appointing the electoral boundary review committee which decides on the number of constituencies and the shape and size of each ward.
Although the opposition is pressing for advance notice of boundary changes, it is not waiting idly for the report. Each party is rumoured to be carving out its electoral turf.
The Workers' Party (WP), the most-watched party in the 2006 polls, is keeping away from the media glare as it goes on its walkabouts across the island, with the focus on its previous haunts.
Public curiosity has been piqued by talk of opposition veteran Chiam See Tong and rookie Kenneth Jeyaretnam from the Reform Party seeking an alliance to contest a GRC for the first time.
Strange bedfellows or tactical partners, the duo will up the ante, with one having the political cachet and the other, the political pedigree. They are said to be eyeing Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.
No GE has ever been held in a Tiger year. If it is called this year, expect a snarl-and-claw battle.
2
Budget bonanza
IF YOU believe what geomancers say about the Metal Tiger, then giving silver is supposed to bring good luck.
There will be quite a lot of silver to go around, with Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam promising that the Government will continue to spend money to boost the economy this year.
But do not expect the same slew of schemes like last year's $20.5 billion Resilience Package to help families, workers and businesses cope with the economic crisis.
This year's Budget hongbao to be announced after Chinese New Year will be less broad-based. It will be "targeted specifically at restructuring, enhancing productivity, and preparing for growth over the medium to longer term".
Singapore's economic engine will undergo a major overhaul to get the country up to speed in the post-recession economy. The octane power will come from the Economic Strategies Committee (ESC) set up last May to find new and fresh ways to grow the economy.
Several economists are expecting a re-think of the growth model. They suggest growing more privately owned local enterprises, having a sharper shift from manufacturing to services, and helping firms to regionalise their operations.
The goal is not just higher growth, but sustainable and even slower growth.
Singapore was once called an Asian Tiger economy. The ESC led by Mr Tharman will release its report before the Budget. Will it put the roar back into the economy?
3
Labour targets
IF COMPANIES could imbibe the tiger-like traits of agility and alertness, they could stay nimble, innovative and boost productivity by relying less on foreigners.
In his National Day Rally address last August, Mr Lee made it clear that there was a limit to the intake of foreigners. He could not imagine their population doubling to two million.
His speech followed the sudden surge of foreigners, with as many as 300,000 flocking here to work during the job boom in 2007 and 2008.
Few doubt that they have contributed immensely to Singapore's rapid economic rise, but there is an increasing realisation that the country could have opened the doors too wide, too fast. The time has come to calibrate the flow.
Economists believe that importing a vast number of foreign workers is simply not sustainable.
By last year, foreigners accounted for a third of the three-million-strong labour force, up from only a quarter in 2004. Singapore's economy boomed in tandem with average growth of 8.2 per cent between 2004 and 2007.
Unfortunately, while their sheer numbers have fuelled growth, the actual productivity of each individual worker has fallen.
For some sectors like manufacturing, hotels and restaurants, the productivity decline started in 2006 – about the same time foreign workers started entering Singapore in large numbers.
But employers seem reluctant to cut down on foreign labour, with many arguing forcefully that they need to hire more of them to stay in business.
Will this year see a return to productivity which used to be the mantra in earlier decades? All eyes are on the ESC to see if it can coax companies to make the leap.
4 Immigration and integration
ONE longstanding and intractable issue, which will continue to seize the attention of policymakers, is the declining fertility rate.
Whatever measures they instituted to spur procreation did not seem to work. Even longer maternity leave and better financial benefits have not brought in the stork. The fertility rate slid from 1.60 in 2000 to 1.28 in 2008, way below the replacement rate of 2.1.
This year is not likely to arrest the trend – no thanks to the superstitious belief among Chinese Singaporeans that Tiger babies, especially female ones, are not considered auspicious.
As the Government cannot be too intrusive about such personal decisions, it is expected to continue topping up the population with more immigrants.
Indeed, bringing in immigrants is much easier than bringing in the stork. The number of new permanent residents and new citizens reached record highs last year, pushing Singapore's population to almost five million.
But not all Singaporeans are happy with this influx as they feel crowded out in the competition for jobs and places in schools and tertiary institutions. This is a controversy that will continue to blow hot and cold this year.
The Government has set up the National Integration Council to help the growing pool of immigrants assimilate into mainstream society.
Greater efforts by government and community leaders will be needed to overcome the resentment, suspicion and envy of Singaporeans towards new immigrants and foreigners. Can the gulf ever be bridged?
5
New media
IF THE cyberworld is a jungle, expect to encounter more tigerish criticisms and snarling views as they continue to mushroom in political news websites and blogs.
As the alternative media provides more up-to-date and on-the-spot reports, it seeks to give mainstream media a run for its money.
This trend will grow this year as more citizen journalists take to the Internet to blog about hot issues, post videos that document events or provide breaking news and analyses.
One new development is the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) online talkshow which made its debut last November. Hosted by former WP member Chia Ti Lik, it features interviews with blogger and gay activist Alex Au and women's rights advocate Constance Singam.
More of such political content is likely to go online now that the ban on political films – as long as the footage is factual – has been lifted.
What is certain is that the Internet looks set to play a bigger role during the next elections, as political parties make the most of new media to reach out to younger voters.
Online personalities are also crossing over to the offline world. Well-known bloggers such as Mr Ng E-Jay and Mr Gerald Giam have joined opposition parties.
Will more of them muster the courage to emerge from behind their computer screens to take the plunge into politics?
6
Censorship review report
A NEW review of current censorship rules is now under way.
A review was done every decade, beginning in 1981, followed by 1992 and 2002. That the current review is being held mid-term shows how swiftly changes have been wrought in Singaporean lifestyles and the media environment. It reflects a desire by regulators to keep up.
For instance, many movies can now be downloaded from the Internet, rendering some censorship rules redundant.
Another issue is whether classification ratings for movies, such as NC16 and R21, should be simplified or rationalised.
The Censorship Review Committee (CRC), which comprises 17 representatives from a cross-section of Singapore society, was convened last September.
It has met focus groups and is conducting surveys to solicit public views on current censorship rules for the entire media spectrum before submitting its recommendations to the Government in the middle of this year.
Will there be more restrictions or a lighter-touch approach to regulations?
As in previous reviews, a balance will have to be struck between the interests of the liberals who clamour for more freedoms, and those of the conservatives who fear an erosion of moral values.
In gauging public sentiment, it may be useful to look at the answer given to one question posed in the last two reviews.
In 1992, 68 per cent agreed with the ban on Playboy magazine. Eleven years later in 2002, it dipped to 57 per cent.
So what will be the answer today? Will wilder instincts emerge or will heartland values return with a vengeance?
7
Silver society
THE Metal Tiger is also known as the White Tiger. Its colour would aptly describe the snowy manes of the growing greying generation in Singapore.
The Government will continue to grapple with the challenges of an ageing society this year. No less than a Cabinet minister, Mr Lim Boon Heng, was entrusted with the task of promoting active ageing.
One target the Government aims to achieve is getting more older folk to work beyond the current retirement age of 62.
This will ensure they have sufficient funds during their golden years. As Mr Lee once said, what is worse than being "bo geh" – Hokkien for toothless – at 85 is to be "bo lui" – Hokkien for penniless.
The CPF Life annuity scheme was set up to enable people to receive a steady stream of income for life.
It starts in 2012, but those older than 55 can sign up now.
Getting senior citizens to work longer also has the benefit of maintaining a pool of local manpower with the necessary skills and expertise.
A re-employment law will take effect in 2012, but this year, guidelines will be firmed up and are likely to form the backbone of the legislation.
Will it have the necessary bite to prevent employers from backing out of employing older workers?
8
Anniversaries
TWO public agencies will mark their golden anniversaries this year. Their celebrations will showcase the spectacular transformation of Singapore.
They are the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and People's Association (PA). Both were formed in 1960.
The HDB has won world renown for housing a generation of Singaporeans in affordable, subsidised flats.
Today, about 80 per cent of Singaporeans live in HDB flats and up to 90 per cent own their homes. Public housing has now grown swankier, epitomised by the 50-storey apartment blocks at Pinnacle@Duxton.
The PA has helped to unify the country by fostering racial harmony and social cohesion. It started with 28 community centres (CCs) which acted as a meeting ground for all Singaporeans regardless of race and religion.
Now, it continues to bring people together through a wide range of activities organised by more than 100 CCs, 550 residents' committees, and 100 neighbourhood committees across Singapore.
Amid the hubbub of these 50th anniversary bashes, one anniversary is likely to pass unnoticed if not forgotten: Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park, which will be 10 years old in September.
It represents a marker of Singapore's gradual opening up of political space. It started with fiery political speeches but has since been reduced to an occasional whimper and the odd protest.
Sundry groups now use the grassy patch to champion their causes, from investors who lost money in Lehman- linked bonds to activists who held a memorial to mark the 21st anniversary of the "Marxist" arrests.
Will the political roar ever return to Speakers' Corner? Watch this space.
8 things to roar about in 2010
BY SUE-ANN CHIA
SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
The Straits Times
01/01/2010
A ferocious animal lurks as Singapore enters a brand new year. According to the Chinese horoscope, the lunar new year beginning on Feb 14 belongs to the Metal Tiger – an animal that has little to do with scandals but a lot to do with changes. What should Singaporeans be watching for in 2010?
1
Election watch
EVEN before the Tiger comes roaring in to usher in the Chinese New Year, Singapore is kicking off 2010 with a bang.
Proposed reforms to the electoral landscape are likely to be introduced at the next Parliament sitting in two weeks.
During the reading of the Bill, MPs will debate on these amendments: smaller group representation constituencies (GRCs), more single seat wards and greater opposition representation.
If the Bill is passed, the House, which has been dominated by the People's Action Party (PAP) since 1968, could see an influx of at least 18 non-PAP MPs. Nine will be Nominated MPs and the other nine will be opposition MPs or Non-Constituency MPs, the best losers from the opposition in a general election (GE).
While these changes would lead to more intense parliamentary debates, a new proposal aims to do the reverse: blow the heat off the hustings with a "cooling off" day so that all candidates and citizens – except the media – could take a break from the sound and fury of campaigning.
All this talk about "cooling off", however, has only served to stoke up an election fever, with some observers speculating that a GE could be just around the corner.
Some political punters are betting that it will take place as early as the first half of this year, more than a year ahead of schedule as the GE does not need to be called before February 2012.
A possible timeframe is between March and early June, after the Budget in February and before the Fifa World Cup in mid-June which will be followed by the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in August.
For the ruling party, a snap poll means catching the recovering economy on an upward trend while people are in a relatively happier mood – except for perhaps first-time home buyers. Any time later, the economy might relapse into another recession.
Other observers are more inclined to place the date towards the year end after the high of the YOG and after this year's Budget begins to bear fruit.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is not giving anything away. Asked in late November if he would call a GE this year, he replied with a laugh: "Maybe. I don't have a date for you."
There is still work to be done, he said, including appointing the electoral boundary review committee which decides on the number of constituencies and the shape and size of each ward.
Although the opposition is pressing for advance notice of boundary changes, it is not waiting idly for the report. Each party is rumoured to be carving out its electoral turf.
The Workers' Party (WP), the most-watched party in the 2006 polls, is keeping away from the media glare as it goes on its walkabouts across the island, with the focus on its previous haunts.
Public curiosity has been piqued by talk of opposition veteran Chiam See Tong and rookie Kenneth Jeyaretnam from the Reform Party seeking an alliance to contest a GRC for the first time.
Strange bedfellows or tactical partners, the duo will up the ante, with one having the political cachet and the other, the political pedigree. They are said to be eyeing Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.
No GE has ever been held in a Tiger year. If it is called this year, expect a snarl-and-claw battle.
2
Budget bonanza
IF YOU believe what geomancers say about the Metal Tiger, then giving silver is supposed to bring good luck.
There will be quite a lot of silver to go around, with Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam promising that the Government will continue to spend money to boost the economy this year.
But do not expect the same slew of schemes like last year's $20.5 billion Resilience Package to help families, workers and businesses cope with the economic crisis.
This year's Budget hongbao to be announced after Chinese New Year will be less broad-based. It will be "targeted specifically at restructuring, enhancing productivity, and preparing for growth over the medium to longer term".
Singapore's economic engine will undergo a major overhaul to get the country up to speed in the post-recession economy. The octane power will come from the Economic Strategies Committee (ESC) set up last May to find new and fresh ways to grow the economy.
Several economists are expecting a re-think of the growth model. They suggest growing more privately owned local enterprises, having a sharper shift from manufacturing to services, and helping firms to regionalise their operations.
The goal is not just higher growth, but sustainable and even slower growth.
Singapore was once called an Asian Tiger economy. The ESC led by Mr Tharman will release its report before the Budget. Will it put the roar back into the economy?
3
Labour targets
IF COMPANIES could imbibe the tiger-like traits of agility and alertness, they could stay nimble, innovative and boost productivity by relying less on foreigners.
In his National Day Rally address last August, Mr Lee made it clear that there was a limit to the intake of foreigners. He could not imagine their population doubling to two million.
His speech followed the sudden surge of foreigners, with as many as 300,000 flocking here to work during the job boom in 2007 and 2008.
Few doubt that they have contributed immensely to Singapore's rapid economic rise, but there is an increasing realisation that the country could have opened the doors too wide, too fast. The time has come to calibrate the flow.
Economists believe that importing a vast number of foreign workers is simply not sustainable.
By last year, foreigners accounted for a third of the three-million-strong labour force, up from only a quarter in 2004. Singapore's economy boomed in tandem with average growth of 8.2 per cent between 2004 and 2007.
Unfortunately, while their sheer numbers have fuelled growth, the actual productivity of each individual worker has fallen.
For some sectors like manufacturing, hotels and restaurants, the productivity decline started in 2006 – about the same time foreign workers started entering Singapore in large numbers.
But employers seem reluctant to cut down on foreign labour, with many arguing forcefully that they need to hire more of them to stay in business.
Will this year see a return to productivity which used to be the mantra in earlier decades? All eyes are on the ESC to see if it can coax companies to make the leap.
4 Immigration and integration
ONE longstanding and intractable issue, which will continue to seize the attention of policymakers, is the declining fertility rate.
Whatever measures they instituted to spur procreation did not seem to work. Even longer maternity leave and better financial benefits have not brought in the stork. The fertility rate slid from 1.60 in 2000 to 1.28 in 2008, way below the replacement rate of 2.1.
This year is not likely to arrest the trend – no thanks to the superstitious belief among Chinese Singaporeans that Tiger babies, especially female ones, are not considered auspicious.
As the Government cannot be too intrusive about such personal decisions, it is expected to continue topping up the population with more immigrants.
Indeed, bringing in immigrants is much easier than bringing in the stork. The number of new permanent residents and new citizens reached record highs last year, pushing Singapore's population to almost five million.
But not all Singaporeans are happy with this influx as they feel crowded out in the competition for jobs and places in schools and tertiary institutions. This is a controversy that will continue to blow hot and cold this year.
The Government has set up the National Integration Council to help the growing pool of immigrants assimilate into mainstream society.
Greater efforts by government and community leaders will be needed to overcome the resentment, suspicion and envy of Singaporeans towards new immigrants and foreigners. Can the gulf ever be bridged?
5
New media
IF THE cyberworld is a jungle, expect to encounter more tigerish criticisms and snarling views as they continue to mushroom in political news websites and blogs.
As the alternative media provides more up-to-date and on-the-spot reports, it seeks to give mainstream media a run for its money.
This trend will grow this year as more citizen journalists take to the Internet to blog about hot issues, post videos that document events or provide breaking news and analyses.
One new development is the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) online talkshow which made its debut last November. Hosted by former WP member Chia Ti Lik, it features interviews with blogger and gay activist Alex Au and women's rights advocate Constance Singam.
More of such political content is likely to go online now that the ban on political films – as long as the footage is factual – has been lifted.
What is certain is that the Internet looks set to play a bigger role during the next elections, as political parties make the most of new media to reach out to younger voters.
Online personalities are also crossing over to the offline world. Well-known bloggers such as Mr Ng E-Jay and Mr Gerald Giam have joined opposition parties.
Will more of them muster the courage to emerge from behind their computer screens to take the plunge into politics?
6
Censorship review report
A NEW review of current censorship rules is now under way.
A review was done every decade, beginning in 1981, followed by 1992 and 2002. That the current review is being held mid-term shows how swiftly changes have been wrought in Singaporean lifestyles and the media environment. It reflects a desire by regulators to keep up.
For instance, many movies can now be downloaded from the Internet, rendering some censorship rules redundant.
Another issue is whether classification ratings for movies, such as NC16 and R21, should be simplified or rationalised.
The Censorship Review Committee (CRC), which comprises 17 representatives from a cross-section of Singapore society, was convened last September.
It has met focus groups and is conducting surveys to solicit public views on current censorship rules for the entire media spectrum before submitting its recommendations to the Government in the middle of this year.
Will there be more restrictions or a lighter-touch approach to regulations?
As in previous reviews, a balance will have to be struck between the interests of the liberals who clamour for more freedoms, and those of the conservatives who fear an erosion of moral values.
In gauging public sentiment, it may be useful to look at the answer given to one question posed in the last two reviews.
In 1992, 68 per cent agreed with the ban on Playboy magazine. Eleven years later in 2002, it dipped to 57 per cent.
So what will be the answer today? Will wilder instincts emerge or will heartland values return with a vengeance?
7
Silver society
THE Metal Tiger is also known as the White Tiger. Its colour would aptly describe the snowy manes of the growing greying generation in Singapore.
The Government will continue to grapple with the challenges of an ageing society this year. No less than a Cabinet minister, Mr Lim Boon Heng, was entrusted with the task of promoting active ageing.
One target the Government aims to achieve is getting more older folk to work beyond the current retirement age of 62.
This will ensure they have sufficient funds during their golden years. As Mr Lee once said, what is worse than being "bo geh" – Hokkien for toothless – at 85 is to be "bo lui" – Hokkien for penniless.
The CPF Life annuity scheme was set up to enable people to receive a steady stream of income for life.
It starts in 2012, but those older than 55 can sign up now.
Getting senior citizens to work longer also has the benefit of maintaining a pool of local manpower with the necessary skills and expertise.
A re-employment law will take effect in 2012, but this year, guidelines will be firmed up and are likely to form the backbone of the legislation.
Will it have the necessary bite to prevent employers from backing out of employing older workers?
8
Anniversaries
TWO public agencies will mark their golden anniversaries this year. Their celebrations will showcase the spectacular transformation of Singapore.
They are the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and People's Association (PA). Both were formed in 1960.
The HDB has won world renown for housing a generation of Singaporeans in affordable, subsidised flats.
Today, about 80 per cent of Singaporeans live in HDB flats and up to 90 per cent own their homes. Public housing has now grown swankier, epitomised by the 50-storey apartment blocks at Pinnacle@Duxton.
The PA has helped to unify the country by fostering racial harmony and social cohesion. It started with 28 community centres (CCs) which acted as a meeting ground for all Singaporeans regardless of race and religion.
Now, it continues to bring people together through a wide range of activities organised by more than 100 CCs, 550 residents' committees, and 100 neighbourhood committees across Singapore.
Amid the hubbub of these 50th anniversary bashes, one anniversary is likely to pass unnoticed if not forgotten: Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park, which will be 10 years old in September.
It represents a marker of Singapore's gradual opening up of political space. It started with fiery political speeches but has since been reduced to an occasional whimper and the odd protest.
Sundry groups now use the grassy patch to champion their causes, from investors who lost money in Lehman- linked bonds to activists who held a memorial to mark the 21st anniversary of the "Marxist" arrests.
Will the political roar ever return to Speakers' Corner? Watch this space.
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