Who say SG factory dieing?

last SG · 2006-11-09T23:09:26+00:00

Haha this topic should be closed. Wonder why it was even started. Huh lionnoisy?

mochou SG

face it, it's just a matter of time. Just look at garment industry, famous brands like Levi's, closed their factories in U.S. for the reason that they can contract production in China and other countries with far cheaper labor. (quote from source below)
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Southwest/01/08/levi.s.closing.ap/index.html
Think on the side of the factories owner, when you are doing labor intensive industries, would you like to do it in Singapore or China/Cambodia/Vietnam(where you get much cheaper labor)?
There are still quite a number of garment factories in Singapore, but they already have bigger branch factories in other countries. They keep the singapore HQ for the reason that they started here, and it's more easier to get business deals in singapore. Gap used to have buying office only in SG and HK, but there will be one in China soon. So they can placed order directly in china, dont have to go thru SG/HK anymore.

If you happen to go to Wuxi, China, drive around the industrial park, take a look at those major names in electronics, look at how big their factories are. Those factories means jobs!! Jobs for chinese, not singaporean, why? not bcos they work better, it's bcos they are cheaper.

If SG govt tells ppl there will be more factories coming, why dont they tell the ppl how many factories have already moved overseas? Tell us the reason why these factories choose Singapore instead of other countries. What makes them put side the labor cost factor?

Quincey SG

No one hates Singapore. Just because you disagree with certain policies enacted by the government doesn't make you less patriotic or someone who hates his country. In fact, government critics criticize in order to bring about change in what they see as wrongs, as it pains them to see that mistakes are being made in the governance of their country.Of course, there are exceptions to that as there are exceptions to some 'self-proclaimed patriots' whose embrace of the ruling party is to serve their own personal interests. Even they love Singapore as they are still successful under the Singapore system. Let me tell you who hates Singapore - individuals that detests our existence. To find that, you would have to look across the causeway. So next time u plan to simply apply the logic to equate anyone who disagree with the governmental stand point as someone who hates Singapore, please think again.

Atobe SG

Originally posted by lionnoisy:
2....[b]6 out of 10 new created jobs in 2005 went to locals.
6 oct 2006 friday,STimes ,front page,column 4.

3.if u want the remaining 4 also goes to locals,
the first 6 may not be created .Think hard.
See how those protective countries have been doing.

No policy is perfect.[/b]

Statistical publicity is merely 'blowing hot air' for the sake of publicity.

What are the actual facts that accompany these glorious announcements ?

It remains a fact that Singapore's population is comprising largely those in their early to late 50s - being the biggest numbers from the baby-boom years of 1945's to 1950's.

It remains a fact that the recent retrenchment has hit this age group the hardest, and most of them from the white collor administrative and service sector remains jobless, or partially employed.

Do you seriously believe that for every 10 jobs created, 6 of these newly created jobs goes to Singaporeans ?

We should be seeing less of these 50 plus retrenched Singaporeans on the streets, and in the queue for job interviews.

All the new investments in hard disk manufacturing plants will employ the largely Malaysian workers, coming over daily in the blue colored buses with Malaysian registration plates.

How many Singaporeans are actually employable in these high-tech assembly factories - or even those high-tech bio-chemical or pharmaceutical plants ?

If the Singaporeans - in their 50's, who have been retrenched from their previous administrative and service sector jobs - were to be employed in these assembly line works, are they truly gainfully employed, and their skill and training truly maximised; or are they partially redundant as they are over qualified for production works ?

lionnoisy SG

Intel and Micron Technology to launch a new joint venture in Singapore, to make NAND flash memory chips, in the second half of 2008.

Title : Intel Corp and Micron Technology launching new joint venture in S'pore
By : Ng Shing Yi, Channel NewsAsia
Date : 07 Nov 2006 2100 hrs (GMT + 8hrs)

SINGAPORE: Singapore is set to have one of the most advanced chip manufacturing plants in the world, according to Economic Development Board (EDB).

It was commenting on plans by Intel and Micron Technology to launch a new joint venture in Singapore, to make NAND flash memory chips, in the second half of 2008.

NAND flash is used for consumer gadgets like digital cameras and mobile phones.

No financial details were given, but according to the EDB, the project is a multi-billion dollar plant.

Aylwin Tan, Director of Marketing Communications at Economic Development Board, says: "It's significant in that it's the first NAND flash wafer fab in Singapore that is based on the 12-inch technology. At the 15 nanometre technology level, it's also one of the most advanced in the world.

"The project will be a multi-billion Singapore project. We'll employ about 1,500 people, with ratio of 50 percent engineers and technicians. The other 50 percent will have a high percentage of skilled operators."

The venture is Intel 's first manufacturing investment in Singapore but the fourth manufacturing facility to be jointly run by Intel and Micron.

The two partners formed a US$2.4 billion joint venture called IM Flash a year ago to make NAND flash memory chips.

Construction of the new plant will begin in the first half of 2007, with production expected in the second half of 2008. - CNA/so

2. 09.11.2006 Natural Fuel invests US$130 Million to build world's largest biodiesel facility in Singapore

charlize SG

Originally posted by lionnoisy:

2....[b]6 out of 10 new created jobs in 2005 went to locals.
6 oct 2006 friday,STimes ,front page,column 4.

3.if u want the remaining 4 also goes to locals,
the first 6 may not be created .Think hard.
See how those protective countries have been doing.

No policy is perfect.[/b]

Wait.

Locals include PRs? Laughing

SilverPal SG

And foreign workers in singapore, remember the govt's way of calculating unemployment?

oxford mushroom SG

Originally posted by Atobe:
All the new investments in hard disk manufacturing plants will employ the largely Malaysian workers, coming over daily in the blue colored buses with Malaysian registration plates.

How many Singaporeans are actually employable in these high-tech assembly factories - or even those high-tech bio-chemical or pharmaceutical plants ?

If unemployed Singaporeans are less picky and willing to work shifts in clean rooms, we will not have to rely on so many foreign workers. Without these Malaysians to provide the workforce, the companies would have to move their operations to China.

[quote]If the Singaporeans - in their 50's, who have been retrenched from their previous administrative and service sector jobs - were to be employed in these assembly line works, are they truly gainfully employed, and their skill and training truly maximised; or are they partially redundant as they are over qualified for production works ?As the Chinese saying goes, "The gentleman is one who can flex and extend", it will be those who are prepared to be flexible and adjust to changing economic circumstances who will remain gainfully employed at all times. If there are no administrative jobs for them but good positions available in the wafer fabs, there is no excuse not to re-train for a different industry. Those who are content to sit on their butts and rant about their misfortune on the Net is the mark of a xiaoren, a person of no consequence and dubious character.

4getmenot SG

oh so maybe you can ACTUALLY provide the Real Numbers on how much of the so called created jobs have gone to the s'poreans??

The gentleman is one who can flex and extend?

There is a limit to how much a person can flex and extend.. Rolling Eyes

How many good positions are they in a wafer fabs job?

Even if if they are retrained? would it automatically guarantee them a new job? afterall, cheaper labor force like FTs are abundant now in s'pore

people rant on the internet becuz

1) MP says - stop complaing and try to solve the problem yourself
2) The media is ranked among the 3rd world countries ...go figure.. Rolling Eyes

xiaoren? i wonder who is more xiaoren here.. [/b]

charlize SG

Originally posted by 4getmenot:

There is a limit to how much a person can flex and extend..

How many good positions are they in a wafer fabs job?

Even if if they are retrained? would it automatically guarantee them a new job? afterall, cheaper labor force like FTs are abundant now in s'pore

people rant on the internet becuz

1) MP says - stop complaing and try to solve the problem yourself
2) The media is ranked among the 3rd world countries ...go figure..

xiaoren? i wonder who is more xiaoren here.. [/b]

Don't mind him lah.

He is enjoying life in the UK now. Laughing

Hogzilla SG

That's why, I said (if you like, you can use the Mr. Brown tune), he is a non-swimmer, staying at a high and dry place, mocking at those who are trying to stay afloat.

oxford mushroom SG

There is a limit to how much a person can flex and extend..

How many good positions are they in a wafer fabs job?

Even if if they are retrained? would it automatically guarantee them a new job? afterall, cheaper labor force like FTs are abundant now in s'pore

If another worker is willing to be more flexible than you are, he deserves the job. If two persons possess similar skills, as an employer I will give the job to the one who is more hungry. Unfortunately, the fact is that many foreigners are more hungry for the job, willing to work harder for less pay.

Lots of people have lost their jobs because their skills have been priced out of the market. Others are able to offer a similar service for less pay. You can either compete on skills or pay. Either upgrade your skills to meet market demands or you will have to lower your salary to keep your job.

There are good positions in wafer fabs that pay relatively well because the job requires some specialized skills, long shift hours and working in a clean room with protective clothing (considered rather uncomfortable). Those who are willing to live with the inconveniences will get the job. Unfortunately, many Singaporeans are not hungry enough to want these jobs.

In contrast, I had a foreign trainee who was willing to work for me completely free of charge for a year, living on her husband's (a foreign worker earning less than 2k a month) salary. Why? Because she needed a letter from me to certify that she has trained in an accredited institution in order to sit her postgraduate examinations.

In comparison to her, Singaporeans who would only whine and complain should be ashamed of themselves.

lionnoisy SG

Question No. 1:
Which factory net profis is one and half of Sing Tel

2.Which factory net profits is more than sum of net profits of
ALL 3 LOCAL banks.

S1000 Award Top Net Profit by Industry

Company Name......................Net Profit SGD '000

Communications/Transport/Storage
Singapore Telecommunications Limited.....$4,161,300

Finance
United Overseas Bank Limited .................$1,731,403

Hotels/Food Establishments
Goodwood Park Hotel Limited ....................$208,596

Manufacturing
Glaxo Wellcome Manufacturing Pte Ltd .........$6,593,844

Retail
DFS Venture Singapore (Pte) Limited ............$148,707

Services
Singapore Press Holdings Limited ....................$488,389

Wholesale
Exxonmobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. ......................$1,833,794

2.SG government expense is some $30 billion pa.Profits of Glaxo Wellcome Manufacturing Pte Ltd .........$6,593,844,000 is more than 20% of sg expenses!!.

Of course,there is much tax incentives under Pioneer Certificates etc.

3.Manufacturing still can feed many local and foreign families.

zaxis SG

Originally posted by lionnoisy:

[/b]

Third Media plant

DO you ever use your backside to think why these chemical plant are here?

Do you know how toxins these plant?

back in America only ex Vietnam people work in their Seagate plant .

The Gov only regulate the waste discharge out from the factory? what about within the factory? Toxins flow within the factory air condition system? how many thousand Singaporean will suffer from those gases they breath?

Or how many Malaysian will give birth odd baby?

bila_prem SG

Why look at malaysians? More china people to occupy Singapore’s new factory. Expect to see more china galz and fellas flooding the post. Singaporeans are always a minority in factories in our homeland. The govt is enjoying the cashflow of levy fee. MOM is the profit making industry.

fymk SG

Before I comment on the topic itself.

Of course, ox is a doctor - he has his earning power now, regardless of whether he is in UK or Singapore . So that reallly disqualifies him from making comments on taking on lower paid jobs. It's more of an ivory tower look down from him.

Lionnoisy are you a student or a working Singaporean?
If you are a student , don't talk about work and FT because you have not gone out in the world yet to survive yet . If not, are you working in daddy's office or a young worker who just cinched a highly paid job ? I ask because no Singaporean who has been out in the work market will talk like you do except if they are in one of these categories.

fymk SG

I would like to point out in the example you have : the foreign trainee has something to gain if she work for you free. Once she is trained and accredited plus registered , her earning power is secured plus she can also chose her employer. Am I not wrong?

That is called internship. People work for UN and WHO free for 3-6 months to make the connections to go up. Those networks are highly political and once you have that connection - your mobility to move is there plus employment benefits. Plus you get invited to sit on consultancies etc in the future if you know the who's who. And it is easy to get into anywhere if your referees are big names in the same specialty area you are going for. I know that from experience.

Gain for the above people : monetary profit and connections

Now let's talk about a Wafer Fab plant - the gain is only a salary which has no profit as it is only used for survival purposes . It does not give you connections or a future to look forward to . Furthermore it comes with a higher risk of retrenchment and unemployment than for someone with the connections to move up further.

Quintessentially you are comparing a durian to a jackfruit. Both have pungent smells but both are very different .

eyebuzz SG

Originally posted by oxford mushroom:
In contrast, I had a foreign trainee who was willing to work for me completely free of charge for a year, living on her husband's (a foreign worker earning less than 2k a month) salary. Why? Because she needed a letter from me to certify that she has trained in an accredited institution in order to sit her postgraduate examinations.

In comparison to her, Singaporeans who would only whine and complain should be ashamed of themselves.

it's exploitative 'sweat shops cheap labour' of yesteryears justified in today's context, no wonder Singaporeans shamelessly choose to whine than to work for people like u, who indulge in 'bribery exchange' only no monies involved, u scratched my back, I scratched yours... where's the meritocracy preached n swore by or the principles n backbone... Laughing

lionnoisy SG

EDB March 2007 investment news:

This little red dot is second in chips production by value by city.
This is 6 th by countries after PRC ,US,Taiwan etc.

2.we will be worse if not producing so much chips,chaps!!

justcooler SG

Hey we hv the highest paid ministers and yet we only achieved 6th....

That is not good enough.

lionnoisy SG

2.Lucky more coming to set up hi tech factory here.

Thursday April 26,2007
Qimonda to invest 2 bln euros in Singapore factory

SINGAPORE, April 26 (Reuters) - Germany's Qimonda AG , the world's third-largest maker of computer memory chips, said on Thursday it would invest 2 billion euros ($2.73 billion) over five years to build a chip plant in Singapore.

The new factory, which would produce chips from cutting-edge 300-mm or dinner-plate-sized wafers, will have a production capacity of 60,000 wafers per month.

"Our investment in Singapore is a major step to expand our regional presence in the Asian market," said Qimonda Chief Executive Kin Wah Loh in a statement.

"We can benefit from local competitive cost structures and manufacturing know-how and finally further reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations compared to the U.S. dollar."

Qimonda will finance its investment for the factory initially from its own cash flow.

Construction of the plant will begin at the end of this year, with production starting in 2009. When running at full capacity, the factory will employ more than 1,500 staff.

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