Companies have responsibility to groom S’porean core, support local employment

I beg to differ with the writer’s view, in “Effective competition in the job market is not unhealthy” (June 8), that enterprises do not have a social obligation and that this is the Government’s job.

Though productivity and cost implications are considerations in hiring decisions, companies have a responsibility to groom a Singaporean core of professionals, managers, executives and technicians and to support local employment.

The purpose of attracting foreign investment is to create jobs for citizens; plus, companies enjoy the safety and good business environment here, partly provided by compulsory National Service for Singaporean males.

A company operating solely on cost considerations is not performing its role as a corporate citizen. And as to the writer’s claim that some jobs are highly specialised, her assumption is that Singaporeans lack these skills.

With a highly educated indigenous population, however, these jobs can be filled if companies are willing to provide chances for Singaporeans with on-the-job training. In the United States, firms are required to look for citizens to fill the roles first.