for SME to help themselves, they must help Singapoeran change govt. When we have new govt, there will always be hope in the society. The current govt can only do so much in hlep and we know they can't go any further. Quite dissappointing.
Most business dont care who is in govenment, as long as they can make the system work. They are fearful of change. So dont expect business people to care much expect to hear more goodies from govenment. If they get more goodies, they may pass 10% to the workers.
In fact, since the 70s, when SMEs face more competition from NTUC and GIC and MNCs, most quietly close down or shifted away to other countries. Those who stay on are strong, but weaken considerably during the last few crisis.
Some ventured into China, but culturally different and business environment is different there too. Many lost big time, and came back battered. Those who made it use singapore as a base only.
The sons many SMEs, under the education is PAP, turn out to work for others as well, as professionals, engineers and doctors, or MBA grads. They did not see eye to eye with their parents or seniors. Thus, many close shop too, retire and hope that their children can make it as a professional. It is not a bad idea, at first, until this crisis comes along, where many professionals face problems as well. Alot of engineers in their 40s or early 50s lost their jobs during the last 2 crisis. Many of them turn into cleaners under the retraining program.
What to do? Singapore had lost a generation of business minded people due to education and lure of high pay as professionals. Many did not see their jobs at risk from termination and economic downturns.
Many SMEs lost to bigger MNCs and GIC-link companies. There are no younger generation to take over and do the much needed ground work of supervising the workers, long hours of work and planning for the company. Much experience that was gathered were never passes down and lost. Whereas, in SMEs, bosses have to work almost everyday, taking a break when they can only. And constantly working for the sake of company. No matter how bad a crisis, there are ways to tide over if you are careful and did not spend foolishly during the good times.
Many of the young preferred 8 to 5 job hours and relax or have fun after that. 14 days or 21 days leave and other benefits.
SO when the crisis comes, I dont blame them. They chose this path to work for others, and when they are out of a job, too bad.
Just my 2 cents
