Singapore Employment Statistics

 Source : Ministry of Manpower 31/1/2008

The recent employment statistics are out and indeed Singapore’s future is as bright as ever. Last Year 2007, Singapore was able to make 60,600 new jobs. This is indeed a significant increase and a great achievement for our growing nation. However, i cant help but notice that out of the 60,000 new jobs, only 1,200 jobs were of Singaporean or Permanent Residents. The other 59,400 jobs were given to foreigners.

Quoted from the press release

“All major sectors registered employment growth in 2007. The services sector saw the largest employment gains of 144,100 (an increase of 31,400 jobs), boosted by rapid increase in hirings across a wide range of industries led by financial and professional services. The booming construction sector added 40,900 workers, double the increase in 2006. Manufacturing employment rose by 49,400, supported by strong manpower demand in marine and offshore engineering.”

I understand Singapore’s need for foreign talent. Thanks to the overtly successful  “Stop at 2″ child policy  during the 70′s ,  Singapore faces  an ageing population as it’s people aren’t simply creating enough babies. Ever since then, Singapore has to attract foreign talent and integrate them to take up the Singapore dream and be a Singaporean themselves. Indeed, as I walk down the streets these days, Singapore is becoming a Metropolitan society. You see many people of different races from many walks of life.

However, it has led me to question myself, am i a Singaporean being valued by my Nation? Is the Singaporean passport so easily attainable? I shall bring up 2 cases for concern. I am currently taking an art class that deals with film and it’s techniques. The module is quite similar to an earlier art module that i had taken. Both of it’s teachers are diverse. My first art class had a Singaporean lecturer with 20 years experience in television broadcasting (a director from the defunct Singapore Broadcasting Corporation; SBC) and my new art class has an Australian lecturer with experiences in Australia also working personally with Hugo Weaving. The Australian lecturer is well liked with her spazz in presentation there and she was actually to take up a position in the defunct UNSW. However, from my point of view, after analysing and comparing both teachers, i say that the Singaporean lecturer taught better with giving clearer understandings and the ability to express ourselves. The Australian lecturer tend to be biased and am surprised that she announced her views first as it affects the students opinion’s to the show.

 Another incident which i shall bring up is a job interview. My brother and his friend both are Queensland graduates in law. Recently, they went to apply for a job and submitted the same resume, cover letter and qualifications (same GPA). However,  my brother’s friend  was called up for the interview  (By the way, he is  an  Australian  Caucasian). Just purely luck? Am not sure.

I guess companies have the choice and perception that foreign talent is better. I just would like the companies to know that there are qualified Singaporeans and may we not be overlooked. A suggestion is to employ the foreign talent and have two junior Singaporean assistants working under him to learn his style and quality that the foreign talent brings into his work. Or else, i just guess it’s better for me to be a foreign talent elsewhere if opportunities are not being presented to me here.

Fai @ ilovelookinggood