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July 31, 2009
Downturn so short II
By Goh Chin Lian
Mr Lim urged companies to increase their effort on developing new markets for their products as one way of raising the productivity of their workers. -- ST PHOTO: MOHD TAUFIK A KADER
LABOUR chief Lim Swee Say on Friday urged companies to increase their effort on developing new markets for their products as one way of raising the productivity of their workers.
He made the call following feedback from many companies that measures like the Jobs Credit wage subsidy scheme have led to them holding on to more workers than they need.
They had noted that when 10 workers are retained to do the job of eight or nine workers, short-term productivity sufferes.
Mr Lim, however, felt that Singapore was doing the right thing with these measures to save jobs.
One way to get around the short-term impact on productivity is to 'find ways to prepare these 10 workers, so that by the time the upturn is back, (they) can produce the output of 11 to 12 workers.'
Mr Lim, who was speaking at the labour movement's first National Day observance ceremony, gave several suggestions on how this can be achieved.
They include improving service quality, being quick in producing products that meet changing demand, as well as hastening the process from research and development to getting the product made and on shop shelves.
July 31, 2009
Downturn so short II
By Goh Chin Lian
Mr Lim urged companies to increase their effort on developing new markets for their products as one way of raising the productivity of their workers. -- ST PHOTO: MOHD TAUFIK A KADER
LABOUR chief Lim Swee Say on Friday urged companies to increase their effort on developing new markets for their products as one way of raising the productivity of their workers.
He made the call following feedback from many companies that measures like the Jobs Credit wage subsidy scheme have led to them holding on to more workers than they need.
They had noted that when 10 workers are retained to do the job of eight or nine workers, short-term productivity sufferes.
Mr Lim, however, felt that Singapore was doing the right thing with these measures to save jobs.
One way to get around the short-term impact on productivity is to 'find ways to prepare these 10 workers, so that by the time the upturn is back, (they) can produce the output of 11 to 12 workers.'
Mr Lim, who was speaking at the labour movement's first National Day observance ceremony, gave several suggestions on how this can be achieved.
They include improving service quality, being quick in producing products that meet changing demand, as well as hastening the process from research and development to getting the product made and on shop shelves.
