"A positive attitude towards training and re-training is the best insurance against job-loss and unemployment".
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.
In Singapore, Gods from various religions demand homage from 4 billion souls. Yet these poor souls all yield their future to a small handful of elites whose power and influence tunnel deep and spread far. Faceless collectors of coke cans together with the omnipresence of a group of men dressed in white hides under the vestige of a cosmopolitan global city where no one is left behind.
The PAP has long since become the government, not only is a cow a mammal, the mammal is also the cow.
Our government has “chosen” for us a way to be “insured” of our jobs and employment. That is re-training, skills upgrading, skill renewal and the like. We all were assured that if everyone is willing to at least “upgrade”, a slot would be safe for us.
But upgrading means very different things. How many instances did a person “upgrade” within the safety of employment as compared to those who paid for their “upgrading” out of bank accounts which no longer expected wages? A family might upgrade from a 3 room to a 4 room HDB, but how many senior blue collar workers like shipyard weiders ( actual case study done by me in a market food court ) upgraded to bus captains and beverage crews at food courts? Under the plethora of new job titles like sanitary engineer, landscape specialist and outdoor visual distributors, the government has lifted perfectly from the New Division of Labor’s uber-specialization to create so many “new” jobs for an “upgraded” Singaporean.
Many can attest to the many wonders that government initiated programs have spurred. Testimonials from upgraded workers splash all over government controlled media educate us of the many benefits of upgrading. Becoming more valuable to one’s employer, picking up a new trade or even simply a new skill are just some of the many benefits. I wonder how many got pay raises? Or even gained immunity from the unmarried, young, non-CPF liable Indian national willing to do double the work for half the pay. Why don’t retrenched individual jump for joy such an opportunity for a vast improvement in life?
Under the guided wisdom of the government and spurred on by labor law, companies establish bimonthly reviews, company level ranking for all departments and “interview” with “under achievers”. All in a bid to sharpen the competitive edge for them and in turn boost Singapore economy in their own small way.
Singapore is indeed a fine country, a garden city. A garden tended to by a large army of gardeners and a small team of 60 year old landscape engineers. How wonderful that we live in a country of every convenience. Well trained and well equipped 70year old uncles watch over the tables of our coffee shops diligently and more “fresh blooded” taxi drivers ply our clean streets. Balance has been achieved, no need to “upgrade” any labor law or foreign labor policies. Our workers are safe and sound as long as they keep more relevant then the next incoming foreign “talent”.
No comments:
Post a Comment