In his May Day message, the Manpower Minister urged companies to prioritise employees and called on unions to rally workers to upgrade and re-learn.
Minister for Manpower Lim Swee Say. (Photo: Xabryna Kek)
SINGAPORE: Policies will be strengthened and more support
provided for companies and workers to adapt and grow in the future
economy, said Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say in his May Day message
released on Wednesday (Apr 27).
But Mr Lim added that companies must do their part and take better
care of all employees “regardless of age and qualifications, invest in
them and help them develop to their fullest potential”. He also called
on unions to rally workers to “keep learning and re-learning, upgrade
and update their skills to be of greater value to their employers”."In the future economy, even though there will be an abundant supply of technology, capital and innovation, good people will always be in short supply.
"It is to the mutual benefit of employers, unions and workers, with the strong support of the Government, to work together to transform our limited manpower resources into our most valued human capital to drive our future growth,” said the minister.
Mr Lim said creating good jobs and meaningful careers for Singaporeans will always be the ultimate objective of economic growth, as industries and businesses undergo transformation to sustain growth. He said with an ageing population, the local workforce will grow much slower in future while Singapore is moderating the increase of foreign manpower.
“Manpower could become the bottleneck of our future growth unless we speed up efforts to become a more manpower-lean economy and a more productive workforce. This is the only way to ensure that businesses can continue to grow, unemployment can stay low while wages can keep moving up,” said Mr Lim.
TRANSFORMATION ON THREE FRONTS
The minister said the journey of transformation has already started on three fronts. “First, to stay competitive, we strive to create jobs of the future in our economy. Second, to stay employable, we strive to nurture skills of the future in our workforce.
"Last but not least, to meet the higher aspirations of our people, we strive to build careers of the future for Singaporeans to pursue their passions,” he said.
While these are not easy challenges, Mr Lim said success is achievable if “every employer learns to value every worker more, and every worker likewise learns to value every job better”.
Mr Lim stressed that the tripartite partners prioritise fair treatment for workers and help them to grow in their jobs and careers.
“May Day is a day for workers’ protest in some countries, but a day for celebration in Singapore. Working in unity, our tripartite partners have led the economy and labour force through downturns and emerged stronger and more vibrant each time, every time. I believe we can do it again,” the minister said.
- CNA/mn
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