I refer to the article “Expat job-seekers taking their chances in Singapore” (Straits Times, Mar 10).
The whole world comes as tourists to look for jobs?
It states that “A growing number are willing to come empty-handed and take their chances in this “gateway” to Asia.
This trend is expected to continue for at least the next few years, said DBS economist Irvin Seah, who cited the lacklustre economy in many European countries.
Foreign professionals can apply for jobs while visiting Singapore. But their visit passes may not be extended by the authorities if the job prospects are unclear, according to the Ministry of manpower (MOM) website.
He was on the Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate, a scheme that allowed him to remain in Singapore for up to one year while searching for a job. The scheme was discontinued in 2011.
Another expat who came to try his luck … on a six-month Work Holiday programme visa. He and his girlfriend stayed with friends for months.”
Over the weekend, I saw tens of thousands of foreigners looking for jobs at Suntec Convention Centre, as there was a huge Careers Fair.
Are there any countries in the world that allows practically every Tom, Dick and Harry, to come as tourists to look for jobs?
2007 to 2013 – resident labour force increased by 260,800 against 733,400 total labour force increase?
According to the MOM’s Labour Force in Singapore 2013 report, the Resident Labour Force increased by 260,800 from 1,878,000 in 2007 to 2,138,800 in 2013.
In contrast, the total labour force increased by a whopping 733,400 from 2.710,300 to 3,443,700 in the same 7-year period.
Only 36% of jobs to locals?
Does this mean that only about 36% (260,800 divided by 733,400) of the increase in the labour force was due to residents (Singaporeans and PRs)?
Less than 30% of jobs to Singaporeans?
Since the statistics are not broken down into citizens and PRs, what was the percentage for Singaporeans? Less than 30%?
So, whatever happened to the consistent rhetoric that the influx of foreign labour will be curtailed?
During this 7 year period, how many new citizens and new PRs were granted?
451,934 new PRs and new citizens granted from 2007 to 2013?
During the 7 years from 2007 to 2013 – 318,931 new PRs and 133,003 new citizenships were granted.
What % of the increase in the labour force to Singaporeans?
So, if we account for the number of PRs, new PRs and new citizens – what percentage of the increase in the resident labour force of 260,800 from 2007 to 2013 were Singaporeans, against the estimated 451,934 new citizens and new PRs granted in the same 7-year period?
82,600 unemployed?
On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, there were 82,600 unemployed residents
forming 3.9% of the resident labour force in June 2013.
8,600 discouraged unemployed?
The number of residents discouraged from seeking work was 8,600 or 0.4% of the resident labour force (inclusive of discouraged workers) in 2013.
415,100 economically inactive aged 25 to 64?
There were 415,100 economically inactive residents aged 25 to 64. How many of these are not working, arguably because of the impact of our liberal foreign labour and immigration policies?
Leong Sze Hian
*Leong is the Past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, an alumnus of Harvard University, has authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been host of a money radio show, a daily newspaper column, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for Malaysiakini, executive producer of the movie Ilo Ilo (24 international awards). He has served as Honorary Consul of Jamaica and founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of Brunei and Indonesia. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors and 13 professional qualifications.
Related:
Straits Times glorifies jobless foreigners who come here as tourists to seek jobs