S'pore will not take "easy way out" to solve problems, says labour chief
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 01 May 2008 2258 hrs

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	Related News • PM Lee cautions S'poreans to prepare for economic slowdown Related Videos S'pore will not take "easy way out" to solve problems, says labour chief

SINGAPORE : 2008 is set to be a challenging year for many workers, with rising job insecurity and widening income gap in many parts of the world.

While some countries have chosen to lay the blame on foreign workers, Singapore's Labour Chief Lim Swee Say said the country is prepared to take tough measures to deal with the economic uncertainty.

He added that the unions are committed to creating opportunities to help low-wage workers cope.

Mr Lim, Secretary-General, National Trades Union Congress, said: "Here in Singapore, we don't look for easy solutions because we know that easy solutions will not work...

"We don't target the foreign worker because the foreign worker is not the problem. If Singapore were to send back all the 30 percent of workers who are foreign workers, (will) we be better off?"

During Mr Lim's May Day Rally speech, he highlighted the schemes that are available for workers to upgrade their skills and find new jobs, even after they have retired. He stressed that there are opportunities to help workers cope with the changing global economy, so long as they are willing to take up the challenge.

Tackling these challenges head-on is 44-year-old Koh Hwee Koon. The former fish stall helper took up a course five years ago, and now earns more as a training assistant.

"I (get) full welfare (benefits), I have CPF to support my family. Compared to the time when (I was) selling fish, (I have) no CPF. It's only fish that I can give my child," said Koh.

Unionists said they are happy with the focus on continued education and training, especially where contract workers are concerned. NTUC said while many are on the CPF scheme, their low wages remain a drawback.

"So to get them out of this cycle, the unit is looking at re-training workers. With higher skills, they will get higher pay, and they would be more willing to contribute to CPF," said Mah Cheong Fatt, head of the Unit for Contract and Casual Workers, NTUC.

The labour chief said that in the new economy, the differences between young and old workers, local and foreign, are no longer applicable. Instead, it is only by forging an inclusive workforce can Singapore continue to move ahead. - CNA /ls