<TABLE id=msgUN border=0 cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD id=msgUNsubj vAlign=top>
Coffeeshop Chit Chat - Gan still pretend that job credit works </TD><TD id=msgunetc noWrap align=right>
Subscribe </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=msgtable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="96%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=msg vAlign=top><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgbfr1 width="1%"> </TD><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgF width="1%" noWrap align=right>From: </TD><TD class=msgFname width="68%" noWrap>eureka75 <NOBR></NOBR> </TD><TD class=msgDate width="30%" noWrap align=right>8:23 am </TD></TR><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgT height=20 width="1%" noWrap align=right>To: </TD><TD class=msgTname width="68%" noWrap>ALL <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgNum noWrap align=right> (1 of 3) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgleft rowSpan=4 width="1%"> </TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>15383.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgtxt>Singapore's strategy to help workers cope with downturn works By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 16 June 2009 2347 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Manpower Minister, Gan Kim Yong, has said that the US$13.7 billion budgeted to help Singaporeans deal with the economic downturn has been money well spent. Speaking at an International Labour Conference in Geneva, Mr Gan noted that initiatives like the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) have helped to save jobs. In the first quarter alone, Singapore's unemployment stood at 3.3 per cent - one of the lowest in the world, despite Singapore's economy slowing down by 10.1 per cent year-on-year. A recent tripartite survey also showed that more than six in 10 employers had deferred or reduced retrenchments, thanks to SPUR and the Jobs Credit Scheme that encourage businesses to save jobs. Mr Gan added that more workers have also gone for training under SPUR, boosting the quality of Singapore's workforce. Moving forward, he said Singapore remains focused on long-term objectives, such as to develop a globally competitive workforce, enhance income security and lifelong learning, and to continue to build globally leading workplaces. This can be done by improving occupational safety and health, and promoting progressive human capital development and employment practices. "Although the economic outlook is still uncertain, with strong tripartite cooperation and commitment, we are confident that we will weather the crisis and emerge stronger than before," said Mr Gan. - CNA/yt</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Manpower Minister, Gan Kim Yong, has said that the US$13.7 billion budgeted to help Singaporeans deal with the economic downturn has been money well spent. Speaking at an International Labour Conference in Geneva, Mr Gan noted that initiatives like the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) have helped to save jobs. In the first quarter alone, Singapore's unemployment stood at 3.3 per cent - one of the lowest in the world, despite Singapore's economy slowing down by 10.1 per cent year-on-year. A recent tripartite survey also showed that more than six in 10 employers had deferred or reduced retrenchments, thanks to SPUR and the Jobs Credit Scheme that encourage businesses to save jobs. Mr Gan added that more workers have also gone for training under SPUR, boosting the quality of Singapore's workforce. Moving forward, he said Singapore remains focused on long-term objectives, such as to develop a globally competitive workforce, enhance income security and lifelong learning, and to continue to build globally leading workplaces. This can be done by improving occupational safety and health, and promoting progressive human capital development and employment practices. "Although the economic outlook is still uncertain, with strong tripartite cooperation and commitment, we are confident that we will weather the crisis and emerge stronger than before," said Mr Gan. - CNA/yt</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
