Mr Singh: "My original parliamentary question really was a question seeking data. Minister for Trade and Industry spoke of the local PMET share going up (from) 54 per cent to 57 per cent. And my question really is can we expect in future — either by way of (response to) a parliamentary question or by the Government on its own accord — (to be given data broken down) into Singaporeans and PRs? If the Government’s approach is, 'No we are not going to provide that data', can the Minister please share that detail with us here. Because it's pointless for us to keep asking for that data if the Government is not going to provide it."
Mr Chan: "I don't think we have anything to hide. We have just shared the data."
Mr Singh: "If that is the case, then for (the increase of 60,000 in local employment between 2015 and 2018)… How many were for Singaporeans and how many went to PRs?"
Mr Chan: "We can get you the numbers. But let me say this: What is the point behind the question? First, has local unemployment increased with all these efforts?
"The answer is a resounding 'no'. Our people are getting good jobs. Are our wages going up? Yes, and it's faster than many other countries. Those are proof points to show that we are doing right by Singaporeans. But I'm always very cautious about this constant divide — Singaporean versus PR. The insinuation seems to be that somehow Singaporeans are not benefiting.
The Pimps And Adulterers specialize in doing this to fellow Sinkies, no shit.
The unvarnished truth is both CCS and HSK are clowns; between them CCS is less of one because at least he genuinely attempted to hit back with a rejoinder despite being caught with his pants down; HSK on the hand fumbled pathetically like a 10 year old virginal choirboy as he desperately flipped through his "lecture notes" for the slightest thing resembling an excuse to fling in Sylvia Lim's face, and when apparently couldn't beseeched that most compliant puppet speaker to grant his embarrassed arse a short recess.
Johann is absolutely right, then again remember the govt said they have our backs.....I mean backsides. :P
WTF this joker Johann Loh Runming says it is not government's role to ensure employability!!!!!
Indeed, couldn't have said it better myself.
Hear! Hear!
Team Singapore is a beautiful illusion; PAP's decades' long myopically crafted policies have been somewhat complicit in promulgating the "each man for himself, you die your own business" reality. Stop pretending to care about us, because deep down we know you don't.
Chee Hong Tat follows Chan Chun Sing’s lead, clashes with Pritam Singh over employment data
Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat has followed his ruling party colleague Chan Chun Sing’s lead and continued an argument with Workers’ Party (WP) secretary-general Pritam Singh over employment data that first erupted in Parliament on Monday (6 Jan).
Mr Pritam had asked the Minister for Manpower whether the ministry will detail the number of new jobs filled by Singaporeans, PRs and foreigners respectively for each industry covered by the Industry Transformation Maps (ITM) henceforth; and whether it can provide these statistics for each ITM since the inception of the respective ITMs to date.
Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad responded that there has been an overall increase of 19,500 jobs across the 23 sectors, due to 39,300 more jobs for Singaporeans, 8,600 more jobs for permanent residents and 28,500 fewer jobs for foreign workers.
He said that the ministry’s annual report provides the local-foreign work force breakdown in broad sectors but did not provide a breakdown of data for each specific ITM as Mr Pritam requested.
Noting that this makes identifying issues afflicting the Singaporean work force difficult and also creates obstacles in tracking and considering policies to boost Singaporean employment and career progression, Mr Pritam said:
Mr Pritam added that the information he sought is necessary in part to counter falsehoods on manpower issues. Asserting that the Government cannot have its cake and eat it too after enacting anti-fake news legislation, he said:
Mr Chee Hong Tat rebutted Mr Singh’s comments in a Facebook post published on Wednesday (8 Jan).
Asserting that Mr Zaqy and Mr Chan explained clearly how Singaporeans have benefited from economic policies, Mr Chee indicated that their responses should be more than sufficient since “most international labour market statistics are not even broken down by nationality.”
Mr Chee said: “The data that MOS Zaqy provided in Parliament are comprehensive and clear. I am puzzled why Mr Singh failed to acknowledge these statistics in his Facebook post.”
Mr Chee reiterated Mr Chan’s point that the Government “puts Singaporeans at the heart of everything we do” and has to constantly balance multiple trade-offs as it grows the economy. Asserting that the “outcomes” for Singaporean workers are what’s most important, he said:
Mr Chee appears to be saying that the end justifies the means – as long as the outcomes for Singaporeans remain good, “trade-offs” like foreigners getting better paying jobs in an interim period is justified.
Mr Chan had made a similar point in Parliament when he was sparring with Mr Pritam.
Calling the issue of local-foreign work force numbers a perpetual balancing act, Mr Chan said that if some decisions today may mean more foreigners than Singaporeans getting jobs that paid better, this may just be a trade-off that would ensure that younger generations of Singaporeans would possess skills that would make them employable in the future.
He said that in time, as the local work force is better trained, Singaporeans could occupy the positions once held by foreigners, pointing out that between 2015 and 2018, local employment increased by almost 60,000.
Echoing his colleague’s views, Mr Chee said that the Government has achieved these outcomes for Singaporeans by staying united and working together. Insinuating that Mr Pritam’s parliamentary questions are divisive and could be an attempt to “drive a wedge” between different groups in society, he said:
http://theindependent.sg/chee-hong-tat-follows-chan-chun-sings-lead-clashes-with-pritam-singh-over-employment-data/
HKC indeed.
HAHAHAHA just saw this sibei funny, will HWZ forums tio fixed by kee chiu anot?
Pritam + Lim Tean + TCB will make sinkieland great again!
[Jobs Jobs Jobs] Pritam Singh’s remarks after his heated exchange with CCS:
Inept, grossly overpaid politicians aplenty seen too often insulting the very spirit of robust, thoughtful debate in a less than democratic parliament these days. Demon-cratic par-lee-ment is more like it.
Chan didn’t give breakdown of local employment data when repeatedly asked by WP but says govt has Singaporeans’ back
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2020/01/07/chan-didnt-give-breakdown-of-local-employment-data-when-repeatedly-asked-by-wp-but-says-govt-has-sgs-back/
Saw a video of him speaking in parliament today, his command of the English language certainly leaves much to be desired.
Allow me to pose a more relevant question then: what is the fucking point of paying this jiak liao bee minister millions a year?