Employee relations in Singapore ‐ current issues and problems

Examines four recent employee relations issues in Singapore. These include dependency on foreign workers, an ageing workforce, impact of companies relocating their labour‐intensive industries to other countries, and problems related to privatization of government‐linked companies. The employment of foreign workers is constrained by an imposed levy and quota. Extending the retirement age provides jobs for older workers. However, employers perceive them as less productive and more expensive unless the wage system can be modified. Workers made redundant by company relocation are the less skilled. Proposes that the solution lies in retraining and upgrading the skills of workers.