4/27/2014 S'pore labour market to remain tight for some time: Lim Swee Say - Channel NewsAsia

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This story was printed from channelnewsasia.com

TITLE: S'pore labour market to remain tight for some time:Lim Swee Say

By Sharon See

POSTED: 27 Apr 2014 14:35

URL: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/s-pore-labour-market-

to/1084966.html#

The tight labour market in Singapore will remain for some time, said labour chief LimSwee Say on Sunday in his May Day message to Singaporeans.

SINGAPORE: The tight labour market in Singapore will remain for some time, said labour chiefLim Swee Say on Sunday.

In his May Day message to Singaporeans ahead of Labour Day on Thursday, Mr Limurged employers to be better bosses, and told employees not to take job supply for granted.

Two-thirds of Singapore's workforce are local, and the government hopes to keep it that way.

To do so, foreign manpower must eventually grow at the same pace as local manpower, said MrLim.

This means the growth of foreign manpower would need to slow down.

Mr Lim said eventually the overall growth of Singapore's workforce could slow to 1 to 2 per cent infuture, down from 3 to 4 per cent.

He said a tight labour market can speed up economic restructuring - through productivity gains andinnovations - but employers and employees should do their part too.

“My message to the employers is that the labour market tightness will remain for some time tocome, so therefore, please find ways to be a better employer, make better use of every worker,and treat every worker better.

“My message to the workers is do not take the tight labour market for granted. Job supply shouldnever be taken for granted. In fact, the whole world is now moving towards using robotisation, usingnew technology to reduce their dependency on labour.

“So therefore it's important that we value every job that we have, be proud of what we do, and thatwe do what we do, our job, passionately. So in other words, be a better worker,” said Mr Lim.

He added that job creation could slow if economic restructuring does not take off.

Mr Lim said there is also more that members of the public can do to treat service staff as equals.

4/27/2014 S'pore labour market to remain tight for some time: Lim Swee Say - Channel NewsAsia

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He said while customers want better service, they should also be good customers, as this cancreate a more positive experience.

He added the labour movement is thinking of ways to recognise the efforts of customers andservice providers that bring positive energy to the workplace.

From midnight on May Day, some 1,000 labour movement activists will be going around the islandto distribute 100,000 of “energy bands” to workers.

The colourful bands represent a show of appreciation, and is the labour movement's way ofthanking workers for their contribution to Singapore.

- CNA/nd