NTUC tracking potential layoffs
-
SINGAPORE: Labour chief Lim Swee Say has said the NTUC is keeping track on a weekly basis the number of workers who may be affected by potential retrenchments ahead of any slowdown in the economy.
Mr Lim said: "The NTUC, together with the WDA (Workforce Development Agency), is already working with some of the companies that are beginning to see the early signs of slowing down.
"We're working with them to send their workers - those on shorter work-weeks and some of their potential excess workers - to go on training before they take any action on retrenchment."
Mr Lim, who is the NTUC Secretary-General and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, was speaking to reporters at the opening of the upgraded Bedok Community Centre (CC).
The S$4 million face-lift to the 30-year-old structure saw additions like a new annexe which adds more than 950 square metres to the existing building.
It is the second upgrade the community centre has seen.
Mr Lim said: "As our society continues to make progress, the kind of social challenges will evolve with time.
"Right now in Bedok, we're reaching out to one in three residents. Together with the rest of the People's Association, we're aiming to increase our outreach from one in three today to one in two by the year 2015.
"We hope with this upgraded CC, we'll be able to organise new programmes, new activities, to bring (together) more residents of all ages, of all racial groups and across various housing estates including HDB and non-HDB (dwellers)."
He said any slowdown in the economy is not related to the size of the companies, but by the sector.
He cited electronics, even though signs of a slowdown are not across the board in the sector.
Mr Lim said: "Those in the electronics, like personal computers, are more affected, whereas those supplying parts and components to the automobile sector are less affected at the moment."
However, Mr Lim said the retrenchment situation today is unlikely to be anywhere close to the numbers seen in 2008.
And while the outlook remains uncertain, he said the labour movement is making necessary preparations so that when the time comes, it can launch them into action.
- CNA/ir -
start licking your bosses arses now....and be very sure before u throw in the towel for a seemingly great career prospect and for all you know...maybe be a retrenchment prone MNC....
-
Times are bad.
-
it definitely is going to be....haizz
-
it definitely is going to be....haizz