Today's news..

[leslie]

my office conducted a recruitment excercise recently..alot of applicants are actually on social visit passes..i think the garment FT policies are actually causing all these problems..FTs know that it is easy to get a job in singapore..

haven seen any singaporeans on tour packages to melbourne applying for jobs there..aussie rules are very simple..you want a job must get PR first..PR application cost 3k, if you cannot afford then forget it..

[ahwoon]

I don't mind FT, as long as they're good. Such as if they are top brain or scientist that can help us. In fact, the americans pulled in FTs in their development of A-bomb and fighter jet as well.

However, from the way I see, s'pore is getting in the wrong talents. The FT policy is just to drive cost down so to remain "competative" (in a way govt saying).

I was employing a engineer earlier. Believe it or not, half the candidates that wrote in are FTs. So they are in a bigger scale then we've thought earlier.

[leslie]

my place really pays new people alot more than current..that is why old people kept on leaving for better jobs..

[chongj88]

Not to want to derail this interesting topic too much, I am always on the lookout for consultants with insurance industry knowledge - especially in any one of the areas in Life, General or Group insurance. Technical side can OJT lah but minimum must have functional knowledge in one of the above. PM me if you or you know someone who is keen ok?

Thanks.

Meanwhile coming back to this topic... When it comes to salary, it is always a sensitive topic. For me, I will always "try" to be equitable to the rest of the current employees. While salary is confidential, you'll be surprised how this info is shared around so readily... So in this sense, we try to minimize the gap especially if the new person's job scope and level is similar to the incumbents.

If your company, for some reason, pays new guys much more than the current people for doing the same work at the same level, then I say there is something very wrong with your HR...

[leslie]

If u r the boss of a company... ask urself this qns..

Would you want to pay 2-3k for a local with NS commitments OR
Would you want to pay 1-2k for a FT withOUT NS commitments

Agreed, there are some things that FT can't do that locals can.. tat is to tok singlish ..

wow lau..u mislead by garment liao..

my office

PRC FTs pay 6-6.5k
locals pay 3.8k

who says FT are cheaper?

PRC FTs studied in NTU/NUS FOC with compliments from our taxes..

my army frens all borrow money from banks go australia study..

WTH?

[louisoh]

If u r the boss of a company... ask urself this qns..

Would you want to pay 2-3k for a local with NS commitments OR
Would you want to pay 1-2k for a FT withOUT NS commitments

Agreed, there are some things that FT can't do that locals can.. tat is to tok singlish ..

[leslie]

Yeah, that's really true. Back there, those PRCs really enjoy their pace of life even though no luxury of life. Actually all of us all too, it's a matter if we are going for the money chase or not. Paper chase is ok lah

I personally think there's is a good example such as the 4th president of Singapore - Dr Wee Kim Wee who truly live a very simple life ,embrace on the path of learning . Does anyone have any idea or good impression on Dr Wee ???

if you retire in some backward countries still can enjoy simple life..problem is all those countries dun let you go in so easily..unlike singapore

heard from my FT colleagues that singapore PR application cost only $50 and only payable when approved..cheap or not?

[leslie]

i used to be proud singing national day songs...but now i dun even bother about it..all of us served NS then FTs got all the good lobangs..all of them are not interested in settling down and convert into citizens..

why singaporeans have to serve army and then get even worst off treatment than FTs?

[Nooch]

Louis i agree on this. I'm thinkin wat am i doin NS for?? To protect e FTs and they return take our rice bowl?? How can?

[kermit e froggy]

you think they will spend money? one prc earning 6k a month eat cheap cheap food everyday..wanna save the money retire in china..non of them wanna stay here in the long run..

Yeah, that's really true. Back there, those PRCs really enjoy their pace of life even though no luxury of life. Actually all of us all too, it's a matter if we are going for the money chase or not. Paper chase is ok lah

I personally think there's is a good example such as the 4th president of Singapore - Dr Wee Kim Wee who truly live a very simple life ,embrace on the path of learning . Does anyone have any idea or good impression on Dr Wee ???

[feilong108]

hahaha.not counting on that to survive..lolz...CPF...how much u can get per month when u reach the age..lol...it is such a pittance amount that it seem like a joke...if u add in inflation rates..u r actually losing money..hahahahahaha

[louisoh]

I am still in singapore only becos no way to run to other country..

Same... not enuf $ to run off.... if nt can claim full CPF sum also not bad...

If not, buy hdb flat then where still got enuf $ inside when old.... wait for them to 'give' us the 'allowance' bit by bit ah?...

[leslie]

Down with FTs. Ask them go home pls. Come here holiday and spend money ok.

you think they will spend money? one prc earning 6k a month eat cheap cheap food everyday..wanna save the money retire in china..non of them wanna stay here in the long run..

[icecream]

I am still in singapore only becos no way to run to other country..

[Oceanklassik]

To be fair hor, I think sometimes the gov't have no choice. Mind you, I am no supporter of any political party but simply speaking from the perspective of a hiring manager...

A large part of the "success" of the Singapore economy can be attributed to the pro-business approach our gahment has adopted. The billions of dollars flowing in is no accident. Generous tax breaks, pro-employer labour policies and being seen as a credible alternative to Hong Kong has fuelled the influx of companies setting up shop here.

Trouble is that our own system does not churn out enough "qualified" people for the sheer number of jobs created. This is probably due our "guided" education system which seems slow to adjust to market needs. Eg, now the rage is all with investment and private bankers while SG was predominantly concentrating on computers, engineering and bio sciences in the last few years (except in late 2006-2007).

So in order not to let the businesses feel shortchanged about the labour situation, what better way than to open your doors to foreigners? Of course they will not be able to stop people from the perception that their jobs are being taken away. In fact that was and probably still is the feeling in Australia (perhaps seiko.citizen can shed more light here) now. Only difference now and then is that Australia's economy is booming and may have helped in muting the complaints...

Coming back home, I am facing a lot of challenges in hiring locals for my employer. Trouble is, my industry is relatively niche. And hence not many locals are interested as it is not perceived to be "high flying" or "glamorous". So no choice lor... Business has to go on right? Right now our work force is about 70% FT with the rest locals... Honestly I would take on a local anytime...

Balanced view. Well said .