Failed gahmen policy makes Foreign PMET CHEAPER cf Sinkies.
-
Failed gahmen policy makes hiring foreigner PMET a cheaper/wiser option.
The letter by Mr Lim Kay Soon lists 3 (if not 4) important reasons:
- The company did not need to pay CPF contributions for them;
- Their salary expectations were lower than Singaporeans'; and
- Their skill sets and experiences were on a par with those of Singaporeans.
4th reason: just like Singaporean workers, foreigner PMETs DO NOT CURRENTLY ATTRACT ANY PAYABLE WORK LEVY.
He ends with:
"At the moment, the local PME retrenchment rate is still high as employers are hiring foreigners for the cost savings.
Over the medium to long term, this will weaken Singapore's economy as local PMEs will become structurally unemployed as they lose their skills and employability."
Quote:[http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/...-easy-20140531
Local PMEs don't have it easy
Published on May 31, 2014 1:22 AM
I REFER to the report ("MPs want more protection, support for local PMEs"; Tuesday)
When I was the general manager of a local IT company and, subsequently, a financial controller for a Dutch multinational corporation, I preferred hiring foreign mid-level staff for the following reasons:
- The company did not need to pay CPF contributions for them;
- Their salary expectations were lower than Singaporeans'; and
- Their skill sets and experiences were on a par with those of Singaporeans.
The total cost differential between local and foreign professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) was 20 to 40 per cent.
An Asian foreign employee with a degree and work experience can easily afford a city apartment and family sedan in his home country if he makes $200,000 during his stint here.
In Singapore, $200,000 would allow a Singaporean with the same qualifications to buy only a three-room HDB flat in outlying regions like Woodlands or Jurong. A family car would set him back by $120,000.
An Asian foreigner's cost of living back home is so much lower than ours. Hence, he is more willing to work for $3,000 to $5,000 a month. But a Singaporean graduate earning $4,000 a month will be trying to keep up with inflation.
It does not make sense that a foreign PME working here has a bright future, while his Singaporean counterparts are struggling with their living expenses, unless they are in strong sectors like banking and health care, where pay is high.
A levy is imposed when one hires a maid, but there is no such tax for hiring foreign PMEs. No wonder foreign PMEs were replacing local ones at an increasing rate until tighter restrictions were imposed last year.
At the moment, the local PME retrenchment rate is still high as employers are hiring foreigners for the cost savings.
Over the medium to long term, this will weaken Singapore's economy as local PMEs will become structurally unemployed as they lose their skills and employability.
Lim Kay Soon
Quote:The quoted report:
MPs want more protection, support for local PMEs
May 27, 2014. ; Janice Heng; The Straits Times
SINGAPORE - More protection and support should be given to professionals, managers and executives (PME), urged several MPs.
In the face of foreign competition, this "sandwiched class" needs more attention from the authorities, they said yesterday on the first day of debate on the President's Address.
Ms Foo Mee Har (West Coast GRC) made one of the strongest calls, saying firms should give qualified Singaporeans priority over foreigners for PME jobs. "It is time that we move our manpower policies for PMEs from a defensive, anti-discrimination position to one where we actively promote and champion the hiring and development of Singaporeans."
She noted that from August, firms will have to advertise on a jobs bank for 14 days before applying to hire foreign PMEs.
Yet the eventual decision is still up to them, she said. "The Manpower Minister further emphasised that (this) is not about 'Hire Singaporeans First' - but many are asking, 'Why not?'"
She wanted employers to have to prove that if a foreigner is hired, it is only because there are no suitable locals. Firms that hire foreigners should also be obliged to have a formal system for training and developing Singaporeans, and to ensure skills from foreign hires are transferred to locals.
"I believe that the current negative sentiment against foreign talent will ease when Singaporeans no longer feel that their livelihoods are threatened," she said.
If the issue of jobs for Singaporeans is not managed well, such resulting sentiments "can send the wrong signals to employers and foreign investors", noted Mr Zaqy Mohamad (Chua Chu Kang GRC).
Labour MP Patrick Tay (Nee Soon GRC) proposed several ways to help PMEs.
The Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications framework of training courses should have a greater focus on PMEs, not just rank-and-file or mid-level staff.
Government funding should be more accessible to individual PMEs, and not just for firms.
Companies should be given incentives to let employees pursue a "second skill" during work hours.
And industries which regularly lay off employees - such as finance - could provide better support for the retrenched, he said. This could take the form of subsidies and payments, to act as a form of "unemployment insurance" to tide them over. "If the PME is laid off with no fault of his or her own, employers have a moral responsibility to see through the career transition for them."
For Non-Constituency MP Lina Chiam, the issue was that firms are being treated too well in comparison with workers. She called for "policies that favour Singaporeans, not an absolute growth model" for the economy.
This article was first published on May 27, 2014.
MPs want more protection, support for local PMEs, AsiaOne Singapore News__________________ -
The Leeder PM (Problems Maker) LEE HSIEN LOONG not pro positive employment for local PME. That explains why we are what we are now where employment is concern.
When the time comes, kick lhl out. Ridiculous that highest overpaid PM creates employment prob for his bosses the citizens. It has no shame to receive such overly paid exorbitant amount of salary yet treat own citizens like dirt on employment.
-
Originally posted by SJS6638:
The Leeder PM (Problems Maker) LEE HSIEN LOONG not pro positive employment for local PME. That explains why we are what we are now where employment is concern.
When the time comes, kick lhl out. Ridiculous that highest overpaid PM creates employment prob for his bosses the citizens. It has no shame to receive such overly paid exorbitant amount of salary yet treat own citizens like dirt on employment.
problem maker ...
i lol'd
i say Ministers should be cheaper, better and faster.
2 million for him, no way.
-
Originally posted by SMB145B:
problem maker ...
i lol'd
i say Ministers should be cheaper, better and faster.
2 million for him, no way.
He is thicker skin than elephants to volunteer overpaying himself.
-
Originally posted by SJS6638:
He is thicker skin than elephants to volunteer overpaying himself.
... how irony when we are told to bite not 1 but 3 bullets. i don't think they could even handle a very light spray. how funny is their so called "thick skin"
-
imposed maid levy ...
now the maids went over to other places.
create CPF
we are paid at 116%* but only received about 80%*, and might not be enough**
cutting workers transport
public crammed with workers, workers paying extra out of their wallet, other commuters ranting.
having income tax
rich are taxed lower than the poor. (win liao lor)
* might be different for other age groups
** 155k minimum sum (wtf)
-
When U say "foreigner have currency at their side": u mean to say that foreigner PMET are here mainly to earn $$$ here (scrimp and save to avoid SG GST) so that they can retire early/ wealthy in their own homeland (zero GST).Originally Posted by shashimiThread source (HWZ): Gahmen, not employer should pay 17% employer CPF contribution, so that Singaporeans can have EQUAL footing
no point imposing a 17% tax on foreigner. these foreigner have the advantage of the currency at their side. they can afford to downplay. but can sinkies down play their value?
Singapore has vibrant economy and tourism business's simply because Singaporeans serve NS and are largely NOT JUST LAW ABIDING BUT ALSO LAW ENFORCING: e.g. SCDF, police, SAF NSmen: who are paid peanuts during NS and for those with low/ no salary, peanuts for performing NS ICT/IPPT etc but are ready to assist when anything happens: e.g. STOMP about inconsiderate behaviour, call the cops when fire/ robbery/ RTA noticed, do CPR on unconscious people, pick up,litter (SKM) etc.
SAF itself costs in excess of S$12.56billion p.a. to run.Minus SAF, Singapore's vibrant economy will be less attractive than it currently is. Rather than Singaporeans paying MORE GST to cover the rising cost of running SAF (12.56billion SGD p.a.), foreigner PMET should be made to pay 17% employment pass levy on the three prong reason(s) of:
1) to contribute to SAF on which the vibrancy of the SG economy stands, these foreigner PMETs whom companies currently adore due to 17% employment 'tax' savings must be taught to understand that a safe and secure Singapore does not come cheap.
2) to remove companies incentive to hire foreigner PMETs over Singappreans by making the 17% company contribution mandatory FOR ALL EMPLOYEES (except that citizens/PR get theirs in the form of CPF top up (status quo)).
3) encourage foreigner PMET to apply for citizenship/ PR (must cancel their current citizenship to qualify), contribute to Singapore's nationhood in the long run and have their offspring serve NS rather than leaving Singapore at the drop of the hat should Singapore be invaded by a foreign land (property prices will also be less volatile if the occupants are citizens rather than foreigner PMETs).
Citizens should NOT have to suffer the 3% rise to 10% GST as they have already contributed by serving NS and reservist duties for peanut allowance (see chart below). Foreigner PMETs must do their part now by paying 17% foreigner PMET employment pass levy.
As for the last part of your question, ".., they can afford to downplay. but can sinkies down play their value?" Sinkie's will just have to upskill to take on better paying PMET jobs: e.g. by maybe puting the 17% foreigner PMET levy into a CPF Edusave fund for every Sinkie that can be used to up skill or learn new retirement skill etc (e.g. join an adult university, take post graduate courses etc). Giving employers a 17% discount/ tax rebate for hiring foreign PMET is really going too far already. Sad that Sinkie's are so dependent on foreigner PMETs, we are on the verge of prostituting ourselves to them through the government giving companies a tax rebate of 17% for hiring foreigners (if U can appreciate the savings from not having to pay employer CPF of 17% in that way). Yes, GDP might fall slightly with the introduction of a new foreigner employment pass levy of 17% to give Singapore citizens an equal footing as foreigner PMETs, however, considering the possibility of then being able to avoid increasing the planned GST rise of 3% to 10%, I say we have made the dignified and most respectable choice moving forward.
PM Lee said recently that 'Singapore belongs to everybody': those on employment passes as such should thus understand that they too are responsible for contributing to SAF's S$12.56 billion p.a. budget. The peace and security for all within and around this island state: none of it has come free...
Pict: NS reservist who are paid the usual peanuts (S$480 to $1180 p.m if they are either students or between jobs (pro-rated for NS duration)(IMG source)
[Chart: Singapore NS allowances from April2012 onwards.]
Singaporeans shouldn't be the only ones footing the SAF through GST rise, SAF itself costs in excess of S$12.56billion p.a. to run. , at least not after they have served 2 years of their lives/ more, and for some, still serve for essentially peanuts allowances.__________________ -
PR also have that crap as well.
please abolish the CPF. on top of that, up to 16% by paid by the Govt.
-
When the AEC (Asean Economic Community) comes into effect next year, Sinkies should expect more Sinkie PMETs (especially male Sinkie ones) to be out of job.
Below are the reasons:
1. If you are an employer, would you prefer to hire male Sinkie PMETs or male PMETs from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar? Male Sinkies cost considrably more and they have to undergo reservist training at least once a year till age 40 or till for whatever medical reason. Employers don't like their staff to go "disappear", right?
2. Sinkapore is the wealthiest city-state in Asean. It claims to have achieved the Swill standard of living, even exceeding that of Switzerland's. More Asean PMETs will want to come here.
3. Any Asean PMET who is fluent in Engrand are welcome to work here. The converse is not true. Sinkie PMETs who wish to work in other Asean countries must be fluent in the national language of the host country. Job advertisements in other Asean countries always specify that job applicants must be fluent in the national language. Another example: if a Sinkie medical doctor wishes to practise in say, Vietnam, the Vietnamese medical registration board requires that s/he be fluent in Vietnamese. This is understandable because medical doctors should be able to converse easily with their patients.
P.S.: LHL is one of the prime movers and promoters of AEC where trade in services and labor is free of encumbrances among Asean countries.
-
conscription is cheap labour. so much spending on military yet still pays our boys dirt cheap.
where are the money?
even public transportation oso no concession for our army boys
please take pity on these poor souls
-
Originally posted by pinkcolor:
When the AEC (Asean Economic Community) comes into effect next year, Sinkies should expect more Sinkie PMETs (especially male Sinkie ones) to be out of job.
Below are the reasons:
1. If you are an employer, would you prefer to hire male Sinkie PMETs or male PMETs from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar? Male Sinkies cost considrably more and they have to undergo reservist training at least once a year till age 40 or till for whatever medical reason. Employers don't like their staff to go "disappear", right?
2. Sinkapore is the wealthiest city-state in Asean. It claims to have achieved the Swill standard of living, even exceeding that of Switzerland's. More Asean PMETs will want to come here.
3. Any Asean PMET who is fluent in Engrand are welcome to work here. The converse is not true. Sinkie PMETs who wish to work in other Asean countries must be fluent in the national language of the host country. Job advertisements in other Asean countries always specify that job applicants must be fluent in the national language. Another example: if a Sinkie medical doctor wishes to practise in say, Vietnam, the Vietnamese medical registration board requires that s/he be fluent in Vietnamese. This is understandable because medical doctors should be able to converse easily with their patients.
P.S.: LHL is one of the prime movers and promoters of AEC where trade in services and labor is free of encumbrances among Asean countries.
why you call Singaporean Sinkies? this is a derogatory term, like Nigger for the black, Chink for Chinese, Hongkies for Hong Konger, or ah gua for the hormo...
-
Originally posted by sgdiehard:
why you call Singaporean Sinkies? this is a derogatory term, like Nigger for the black, Chink for Chinese, Hongkies for Hong Konger, or ah gua for the hormo...
Sinkie and 'Pinkie': it's all over the internet. It is good to be self depreciating at times. Unless Pinkie wants to push through Les Majesty laws through his rubber stamp parliament: then I have no say about that...
-
Originally posted by bic_cherry:
Sinkie and 'Pinkie': it's all over the internet. It is good to be self depreciating at times. Unless Pinkie wants to push through Les Majesty laws through his rubber stamp parliament: then I have no say about that...
A person who cannot appreciate who he is is unlikely to appreciate things around him.
The black in American never call themselves nigger, the Hong Kongers pui at people who call them hongkie, all Chinese students (singapore, malaysian, taiwan, china) all stand up against the angmoh when they were called chink.
Singaporean who are not proud of Singapore, I am not talking about the political parties, are unlikely to gain support from Singaporean for what they say.
What the hell is pinkie? is there a country called pink?
-
Originally posted by sgdiehard:
A person who cannot appreciate who he is is unlikely to appreciate things around him.
The black in American never call themselves nigger, the Hong Kongers pui at people who call them hongkie, all Chinese students (singapore, malaysian, taiwan, china) all stand up against the angmoh when they were called chink.
Singaporean who are not proud of Singapore, I am not talking about the political parties, are unlikely to gain support from Singaporean for what they say.
What the hell is pinkie? is there a country called pink?
[GSGT] Pinky Loong said he watched Singapore vs Pinoyland http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/eat-drink-man-woman-16/%5Bgsgt%5D-pinky-loong-said-he-watched-singapore-vs-pinoyland-4011638.html
So U know who pinky is; and pinky says we are Sampan2.0 only.
http://undertheangsanatree.blogspot.sg/2013/11/singapore-sampan-or-cruise-ship.html
So we are all $inkies right???!!!.
Pinky Loong is king hahaha...
Nationalism without moralism is no point. Pls do not be so stressed bro...