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http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/premium/top-stories/spore-magnet-losing-its-foreign-worker-pull
Published April 24, 2012
S'pore magnet losing its foreign worker pull
It's getting harder to attract blue-collar workers whose home economies are booming
Bycai haoxiang print |email this article Push factors: Low wages and steep living costs also played a part in the slowing drip of foreign workers
- FILE PHOTO
[SINGAPORE] Even without the policy moves to curb inflows, the supply of blue-collar foreign workers in Singapore could be drying up. Low wages, the high cost of living here, and better prospects in the workers' home countries have all played a part in this trend.
Companies across various sectors like retail, food and beverage, and manufacturing told The Business Times they are having trouble finding workers from Malaysia, a traditional source country, to fill low-end positions.
In construction, Malaysian unskilled labour stopped coming five to 10 years ago. But in recent years it has been harder to find Thai, mainland Chinese, and even Indian workers.
Malaysia is a traditionally big source of bilingual workers, who apply for jobs here directly by reading newspaper advertisements, bypassing most employment agencies. Employers face fewer restrictions in hiring them.
Subscribers, log in here to read the full story. If you do not have an account, subscribe here.
Published April 24, 2012
S'pore magnet losing its foreign worker pull
It's getting harder to attract blue-collar workers whose home economies are booming
Bycai haoxiang print |email this article Push factors: Low wages and steep living costs also played a part in the slowing drip of foreign workers
- FILE PHOTO
[SINGAPORE] Even without the policy moves to curb inflows, the supply of blue-collar foreign workers in Singapore could be drying up. Low wages, the high cost of living here, and better prospects in the workers' home countries have all played a part in this trend.
Companies across various sectors like retail, food and beverage, and manufacturing told The Business Times they are having trouble finding workers from Malaysia, a traditional source country, to fill low-end positions.
In construction, Malaysian unskilled labour stopped coming five to 10 years ago. But in recent years it has been harder to find Thai, mainland Chinese, and even Indian workers.
Malaysia is a traditionally big source of bilingual workers, who apply for jobs here directly by reading newspaper advertisements, bypassing most employment agencies. Employers face fewer restrictions in hiring them.
Subscribers, log in here to read the full story. If you do not have an account, subscribe here.
