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SINGAPORE: Jobs and charting the future of Singapore's economy took centre stage on the last day of parliamentary debate on the President's Address on Friday.
NTUC Secretary-General and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Lim Swee Say, said Singaporeans should stop looking at foreign workers as competitors. Instead, they should ask themselves how they can be the best in the world in their respective fields.
Since 1992, Singapore has had 10 years of full employment coupled with GDP growth that is higher than the global average, an achievement not seen elsewhere.
Mr Lim credits that to the country's economic, social and political capital. But he is uncertain if the future will be similarly rosy.
On political capital, Mr Lim said: "Through fair election, we were able to elect clean, strong and responsible government. Question is: how do we get better? Over the years, (when it) comes to every General Election, my impression is that voters want to have the best of three worlds.
"Firstly, they want to have the best MPs to look after their constituency. Secondly, they want to have the best government to take care of the country. And thirdly, they want to have more debate, more avenue and alternative voices in the Parliament. The changes announced by the government two days ago will put us on the path to the best of three worlds."
On economic and social capital, Mr Lim said: "We succeeded in the past because we did our very best to be cheaper than those who are better than us, and better than those who are cheaper than us.
"(Today) the only hope of succeeding for Singapore - to be better than those who are better than us - is to do it the Singapore unlimited way. We have to count on the strength of all enterprises, whether big or small. We have to count on all talents, whether they are Singaporeans or foreign workers."
Also speaking in Parliament, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong said he would look into how Singapore can maximise the contributions from both local and foreign workers.
He said: "Foreign talents and workers form an integral part of our labour market and provide us with an important competitive advantage. The key is balance. We should not become overly dependent on foreign workers.
"My ministry will support the new Economic Strategies Committee in looking at how we can strike a balance and maximize the contributions from our workforce, both local and foreign."
Mr Gan and Mr Lim said more is being done to help older workers, and there have been encouraging signs. Two thirds of the at least 1,000 jobs being matched at the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) every month go to workers aged 40 and above.
Mr Gan also explained that a more targeted approach is being undertaken by the various agencies when it comes to job matching.
e2i and the Community Development Councils, in partnership with the Workforce Development Agency, have matched about 10,000 workers to new jobs over the last few months.
In the process of placing the unemployed, these agencies now profile workers, identify skills gaps and suggest training programmes, resulting in a better job match.
President SR Nathan addressed the House on May 18 when he opened the second session of Singapore's 11th Parliament. Mr Nathan had outlined the government's priorities, policies and programmes for the remainder of its term, in view of the present economic climate.
Wrapping up the debate, Michael Palmer, the MP for Pasir-Ris Punggol GRC, said the government's roadmap to deal with the economic crisis is a sound one.
Mr Palmer, who is also the chairman of GPC for Defence and Foreign Affairs, said: "Ultimately, however, it is down to every Singaporean to take up that challenge, and to trust the government and its plan.
"As Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee so succinctly put it: 'a good government is necessary, but not sufficient'. I therefore call on our people to come together and work with our government so that we will pull through this crisis."
Some 60 MPs took part in the five-day debate.
- CNA/ir
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