SINGAPORE: Labour chief Lim Swee Say has said the
NTUC is keeping track on a weekly basis the number of workers who
may be affected by potential retrenchments ahead of any slowdown in
the economy.
Mr Lim said: "The NTUC, together with the WDA
(Workforce Development Agency), is already working with some of the
companies that are beginning to see the early signs of slowing
down.
"We're working with them to send their workers -
those on shorter work-weeks and some of their potential excess
workers - to go on training before they take any action on
retrenchment."
Mr Lim, who is the NTUC Secretary-General and Minister in the Prime
Minister's Office, was speaking to reporters at the opening of the
upgraded Bedok Community Centre (CC).
The S$4 million face-lift to the 30-year-old structure saw
additions like a new annexe which adds more than 950 square metres
to the existing building.
It is the second upgrade the community centre has seen.
Mr Lim said: "As our society continues to make progress, the kind
of social challenges will evolve with time.
"Right now in Bedok, we're reaching out to one in three residents.
Together with the rest of the People's Association, we're aiming to
increase our outreach from one in three today to one in two by the
year 2015.
"We hope with this upgraded CC, we'll be able to organise new
programmes, new activities, to bring (together) more residents of
all ages, of all racial groups and across various housing estates
including HDB and non-HDB (dwellers)."
He said any slowdown in the economy is not related to the size of
the companies, but by the sector.
He cited electronics, even though signs of a slowdown are not
across the board in the sector.
Mr Lim said: "Those in the electronics, like personal computers,
are more affected, whereas those supplying parts and components to
the automobile sector are less affected at the moment."
However, Mr Lim said the retrenchment situation today is unlikely
to be anywhere close to the numbers seen in 2008.
And while the outlook remains uncertain, he said the labour
movement is making necessary preparations so that when the time
comes, it can launch them into action.
- CNA/ir
