SINGAPORE: The second quarter of this year saw only one—third of the number of lay—offs experienced in the previous quarter for the unionised sector, said labour movement chief Lim Swee Say.
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And while this showed an improvement over the nearly 10,000 retrenched in the first quarter, Mr Lim said Singaporeans must not assume the downturn is over.
When the economic downturn hit Singapore, the labour movement set itself three targets, said NTUC Secretary—General Lim Swee Say. These were: to avoid record retrenchments, a high unemployment rate as in 2003 when SARS hit, and to be among the first to bounce back when the upturn returns.
Mr Lim said: "After six months of tripartite efforts, we believe we are on track. We cannot say for sure that by the end of this year, whether we would be able to succeed to achieve all these three targets. But we will continue to pursue our ’Upturn the Downturn’ strategy."
Mr Lim reminded Singaporeans that the downturn was not over yet despite recent reports that companies have started hiring.
A survey by consultancy firm Hudson said that for the first time since 2007, hiring expectations are up across the board.
The Singapore National Employers Federation also found from its regular quarterly surveys that the percentage of companies saying they were hiring had gone up from 20 to 25 per cent between March and June this year.
Stephen Lee, president, Singapore National Employers Federation, said: "Certainly this is a positive sign, but the question is how long will we be bottom—bumpy and how long will we stay at the bottom.
"Certainly there are no strong signs to indicate a fast recovery. So most companies are prepared that it will stay where it is and wait till the first quarter of next year to see whether it will pick up."
Mr Lim added: "Let us remember that not all industries will recover at the same time and at the same pace. So when we see some companies starting to recover and starting to hire workers, we should be happy, but don’t be too happy.
"We cannot keep retrenchment down to zero. But we can make sure that when the worker is retrenched, he does not necessary become an unemployed worker."
Hence the need to remain focused on the fundamentals, with cutting costs to save jobs being key.
Although there may be some signs of improvement in hiring, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation said it is not time for companies and workers to rest on their laurels.
They encourage both employers and workers to take full advantage of the various training and re—training schemes available to enhance the employability of their workers. — CNA
We paid them millions, and now they can tell us that they are not sure whether where they are..up or down, layed or being lay, left or right, rear or front....so easily.
On monthe 100k paid and no need to make a firm decision, just say not so sure and the day goes by...please lah. Even me, a female bartender also know what is going on...it either we eat lay potato chips or cook potato and eat..the former being rich and the later represent poor.
Me go buy lay chips, lay down on my bed and waiting to get la...watch movie...angels and demons
Does it matter if it is up or down to the common men like me?
Up or down, we all have to work anyway. If retrenched, we will still have to find another job, as quick as possible, or there will be no food on our tables. It is the only way to earn an honest living and keep one's dignity while we still have brains, hands and legs.
We singaporeans are productive workers, and come with integrity for every dollar earned. Our only hope is that our economic leaders, CEOs of SMEs and small fry bosses would equally have such integrity in these bad times.
Originally posted by angel7030:We paid them millions, and now they can tell us that they are not sure whether where they are..up or down, layed or being lay, left or right, rear or front....so easily.
On monthe 100k paid and no need to make a firm decision, just say not so sure and the day goes by...please lah. Even me, a female bartender also know what is going on...it either we eat lay potato chips or cook potato and eat..the former being rich and the later represent poor.
Me go buy lay chips, lay down on my bed and waiting to get la...watch movie...angels and demons
This is the first time i read u post facts
Originally posted by Fantagf:This is the first time i read u post facts
i told u i am neutral mah, govt do good, i said good, govt do bad, i said bad, unlike some here, good or bad also condemn it all the way, different purpose i guess.
Just like my grandma say me, if i do good, she will praise and support me to repeat the same behavior and practice, if i do bad...broom is on my ass...RUN!
Originally posted by xtreyier:Does it matter if it is up or down to the common men like me?
Up or down, we all have to work anyway. If retrenched, we will still have to find another job, as quick as possible, or there will be no food on our tables. It is the only way to earn an honest living and keep one's dignity while we still have brains, hands and legs.
We singaporeans are productive workers, and come with integrity for every dollar earned. Our only hope is that our economic leaders, CEOs of SMEs and small fry bosses would equally have such integrity in these bad times.
ya, for a common guy like you, it makes no different, but please understand, for a conman or conwoman like me, it make alots of differences. And more 50% per cent of our people including the bosses are mostly under the con group, therefore, the decision of the govt is critical to us in whether we want to con the workers further or the customers further.