Time to go on the offensive in 2010: Labour Chief
Lim
NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say says the Labour movement is
ready to go on the offensive next year on the jobs front.
Speaking to reporters after a two-and-a-half hour long news
conference to round up the year for the NTUC, Mr Lim says 2009 has
been all about saving jobs and preventing
retrenchments.
So in 2010, he says the focus should shift towards getting back to
full employment and continuing to build an inclusive
workforce.
Jeremy Koh tells us more :
It's been a year marked by more lows than highs on
the economic front.
Still, as the year draws to a close, Mr Lim says he's pleased with
what's been achieved so far.
Although Singapore had faced its worst economic slump since
independence, job loss figures were below those recorded during the
Asian Financial Crisis and the Sars outbreak.
And Mr Lim says that's because Singapore had focused on cutting
costs to save jobs while other countries were cutting jobs to save
costs :
"Basically in the year 2009, we were playing a defensive game,
trying to minimize the pain in the downturn. So basically the whole
idea is to inflict less pain in the downturn. 2010 will be very
different strategy, 2010, the strategy would be one of how do we
achieve more gain in an upturn."
And that means going on the offensive.
Mr Lim says Singapore will now look at ways to upgrade the
capabilities of businesses and the employability of
workers.
This is so that the economy can continue to grow and employment
rates can continue to rise :
"In the year 2010, from the labour movement’s perspective, there
are two areas we look forward to working very closely with our
tripartite partners. Firstly is how do we pursue a CBF economy - a
cheaper, better, faster economy through higher productivity, better
capability and higher level of flexibility. Secondly is how to
ensure that the workforce of Singapore will remain an inclusive
workforce."
Mr Lim adds that his main concern for next year is not about
creating enough jobs for Singaporeans but ensuring that
Singaporeans are matched to suitable jobs.
As for companies, he says the Economic Strategies Committee or ESC
could unveil a more targeted approach to helping them when it
releases its list of recommendations next month.
But such a scheme, he adds, would only benefit companies that are
committed to expanding their capacities and upgrading their
capabilities.
--938Live