Daily Lessons from Life 30 April 2013 - Singapore can make it through difficult transition phase

"Singapore can make it through difficult transition phase - Singapolitics Apr 30, 2013

In his May Day message on Tuesday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that although Singapore's road ahead is challenging, he is confident that the country will succeed in making the economic transition.

"We have successfully restructured our economy before. Each transition was difficult, but each time we emerged stronger, and improved our standard of living," he said.

Mr Lee added: "Our well-educated and productive workforce is one of the world's best. Asia is doing well, which will benefit us as long as we stay competitive. Singapore's international standing is high, both in Asia and in the developed world. We must maintain this confidence and reputation, to continue attracting investments and creating good jobs for our people."

He also called on companies, workers and unions to do their part even as the Government works to attract investments, and help workers and businesses adapt to the new environment. He said: "Together, we must uphold tripartism, and keep it our lasting competitive advantage.""

1/3 of 2013 is gone! Tomorrow is Labour Day or 1st of May holiday. A day that celebrate the workers labouring to improve life and the world by making and creating things that help the human race lives better - supposedly!

Lessons for me are:

1. Singapore has transformed itself before. A few times actually. Most were in anticipation. So we were creating changes that need to fit the new reality. Still very much commerce and economic related. There were buffers for us to cut and reduce and survive. And then thrive when the cycle comes around;

2. now, if the complaining out-of-work Singaporean PMEs are to believed, they were displaced by cheaper foreign PMEs. Also assuming these Singaporean PMEs after complaining, start to roll up their sleeves and are able and willing to take on PME jobs, it seems that the employers are not very keen because: a. they probably don't think that Singapore PMEs are as good as PM Lee has described; b. they are cost minded and will employ foreign PMEs, especially young male, who do not need to serve the troublesome National Services (Reservist) for a period of 1 week to 5 or even 6 weeks annually!

We need the SHRI and Singapore HR experts to verify this. This is one piece of news where TRUTH is most important. If Singaporean PMEs are not good enough, we better know about it and DO SOMETHING to improve the quality as ultimately being competently competitive secure you your job!;

3. The MOM and acting Minister of Manpower recognized and acknowledged the existence of SOME foreign employers (companies and hiring managers/supervisors) ARE indeed discriminating against Singaporean PMEs and are trying to change the laws to offer more protection to the Singapore PMEs. This is a good start. Ultimately, only REALLY competent and competitive Singaporeans PMEs can survive. If we are not better than the foreign PMEs on performance and capability, hiding behind the 'discriminating against Reservist services' will not last!

Will Singapore make it through this difficult transition of moving from a manufacturing to a manpower intensive service industry? Maybe. Let's see...