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Oral Answer by Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister for Manpower, to Parliamentary Question on Jobs Layoffs and Support Schemes In Helping Singaporeans

Employment practices Skills, training and development

Notice Paper No. 304 Of 2016 For The Sitting On Or After 15 August 2016
Question No. 516 For Oral Answer

MP: Ms Foo Mee Har

To ask the Minister for Manpower in light of job layoffs hitting a seven-year high (a) how successful have current support schemes been in helping Singaporeans, particularly PMEs, secure new jobs; and (b) what additional measures will the Government implement should the unemployment situation deteriorate further.

Answer

  1. Redundancies have risen due to weaker global economic conditions and ongoing economic restructuring. In anticipation of this, I announced in April this year the “Adapt & Grow” initiative.
  2. Under “Adapt and Grow”, we have enhanced and expanded the package of employment assistance for both the effected PMETs and rank and file workers. It includes Professional Conversion Programme, Career Support Programme, P-Max and Reskilling for Jobs Programme. WDA and e2i have also ramped up the number of job fairs and other career support events, such as career workshops and learning journeys to hiring firms.
  3. Ms Foo asked how effective our current support schemes are. Madam Speaker, in the first half of this year, WDA and e2i have assisted about 15,000 jobseekers through its Career Centres and the Adapt and Grow support schemes. With WDA and e2i assistance, about 4,000 PMETs and 6,000 Rank and File jobseekers have secured jobs. Madam Foo also asked what additional measures we will implement moving forwards. Madam speaker, the Government will continue to monitor the economic and labour market situation closely, and expand employment support to our workers proactively as we go through this period of not just cyclical uncertainty but structural transition too.
  4. Moving forward, with the restructuring of WDA into Workforce Singapore (WSG), we will go beyond helping the unemployed find jobs. WSG will do more and help more Singaporeans manage their career transitions throughout life. This is to maximise matching between the aspiration of workers and the manpower needs of businesses. WSG will also support tripartite efforts to transform our industries and strengthen the Singaporean Core in all major sectors. We believe this is the best way to position Singapore for growth and to create better jobs for our people. Later on, during the second reading of the WSG bill, I will be happy to elaborate further.

Supplementary Question: Ms Foo Mee Har

  1. I would to ask the Minister, with respect to the double weak companies, those with weak Singaporean core and weak commitment to nurture Singaporean core, could the Minister please give an update on how these companies have strengthened the Singaporean core as a result of TAFEP intervention and some of the things that you said they would do during your budget speech.

Answer

  1. Madam Speaker, indeed we have taken action against double weak and triple weak companies. The programme is ongoing. In fact the list of companies is growing as well. If members are interested, please feel free to file Parlimentary Questions, I will provide a comprehensive reply. Thank you.