Jobs must and will remain Singapore’s priority in the next few years, declared Singapore President Halimah Yacob at the opening of the 14th Parliament on 24 August 2020.
“Keeping people in work is the best way to help them take care of their families, and to keep their skills current until the economy improves,” she said.
Mdm Halimah also acknowledged the fears and anxieties about jobs felt by Singaporeans, especially the lower-wage, mature, and mid-career workers.
Despite the Government’s decisiveness with the Budget announcements to save jobs and provide emergency support for workers, Singapore’s situation will “remain grave for quite some time”, she added.
Singapore is currently facing its worst recession since independence, with experts predicting a shrink in the economy by 5 per cent to 7 per cent this year.
Mdm Halimah called on employers to see mid-career Singaporeans as valuable assets and provide them with opportunities and training for new jobs.
“We are also making a concerted effort to help workers in their 40s and 50s by matching them to suitable jobs and SkillsFuture programmes,” she said.
She added that the Government will keep looking out for low-wage and mature workers. Many of whom are essential workers who keep Singapore going during the crisis.
“We are doing all we can to help. We are supporting businesses, especially SMEs, with cashflow and credit so that they stay afloat and hold on to their workers.
“The National Jobs Council is working closely with tripartite partners to create new job and skills upgrading opportunities for Singaporeans,” said the president.
To sustain job creation, Mdm Halimah said that Singapore must keep its economy strong and competitive and be prepared for significant structural changes.
“Some jobs will disappear altogether. Much of our economy thrives because we have made ourselves a vibrant hub for the region and an attractive place for trade, investments, talent and ideas. We cannot take our hub status for granted, or assume that its scope and role will remain the same,” she said.
With this, the president underlined the great urgency to transform the economy and find new ways to make a living.
Air travel will be resumed safely to maintain Singapore’s role as a global and regional hub; digital connectivity will be strengthened to help companies develop links to new markets; and resilience in critical areas like food, healthcare and supply chain management will be fortified to find new areas of growth.
Mdm Halimah recognised that the sense of competition for jobs from work pass holders is a potentially divisive issue and that they will be addressed.
“This has become a major source of anxiety, especially among mid-career Singaporeans. We understand these concerns. They not only touch on matters of livelihood but also on our sense of identity and belonging,” she said.
The president highlighted that the country’s strong education system and training pathways have resulted in a workforce at par with the best in the world.
She added: “We will work with employers to further strengthen the capabilities of our workforce in every field, and ensure that firms treat Singaporeans fairly when they recruit or retrench workers. In all that we do, the interests of Singaporeans are always paramount.”
This does not mean, however, that Singapore should turn inwards.
Mdm Halimah said: “We should continue to welcome and integrate those who can contribute to Singapore and improve our lives and our children’s future.”
