Big thank you to ES again?
I received a copy of the Ministry of Manpower ‘s (MOM) Labour Force in Singapore 2012, from reader ES, who has sent me many interesting reports and information in the past.
Foreign workers grew by 7.4%?
According to the statistics in the report, the non-resident labour force grew by a whopping 7.4 per cent, from 1.157 to 1.2422 million from 2011 to 2012.
In contrast, the resident (Singaporean and Permanent Residents (PRs)) labour force only grew by about 2.1 per cent, from 1.9989 to 2.0406 million from 2011 to 2012.
85,200 more foreign workers plus 6,255 PRs against 35,445 Singaporeans?
In other words, the number of foreign workers increased by 85,200 against just 41,700 locals. If we assume that about 15 per cent of the locals were PRs, the number of Singaporeans may only be about 35,445.
So, there was an increase of about 2.4 foreign workers for every one Singaporean worker, or about 73 per cent of the increase in jobs went to non-citizens (foreigners and PRs).
And we have not even talked about making an adjustment to the statistics to reflect new citizens and new PRs granted in the year!
“Wayang” continues?
What do the above statistics tell you about all the repeated rhetoric in the recent years about curtailing the influx of foreign workers, we are concerned about the impact of foreign workers on Singaporeans, we have been tightening on foreign workers’ pass and work permit approvals and renewals, etc?
Pardon my language – “wayang”?
Leong Sze Hian
Leong Sze Hian is the Past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, an alumnus of Harvard University, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow and an author of 4 books. He is frequently quoted in the media. He has also been invited to speak more than 100 times in 25 countries on 5 continents. He has served as Honorary Consul of Jamaica, Chairman of the Institute of Administrative Management, and founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of Brunei and Indonesia. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional qualifications. He blogs at http://www.leongszehian.com.