Today's news..

[Nooch]

Louis i agree on this. I'm thinkin wat am i doin NS for?? To protect e FTs and they return take our rice bowl?? How can?

[leslie]

i used to be proud singing national day songs...but now i dun even bother about it..all of us served NS then FTs got all the good lobangs..all of them are not interested in settling down and convert into citizens..

why singaporeans have to serve army and then get even worst off treatment than FTs?

[leslie]

Yeah, that's really true. Back there, those PRCs really enjoy their pace of life even though no luxury of life. Actually all of us all too, it's a matter if we are going for the money chase or not. Paper chase is ok lah

I personally think there's is a good example such as the 4th president of Singapore - Dr Wee Kim Wee who truly live a very simple life ,embrace on the path of learning . Does anyone have any idea or good impression on Dr Wee ???

if you retire in some backward countries still can enjoy simple life..problem is all those countries dun let you go in so easily..unlike singapore

heard from my FT colleagues that singapore PR application cost only $50 and only payable when approved..cheap or not?

[louisoh]

If u r the boss of a company... ask urself this qns..

Would you want to pay 2-3k for a local with NS commitments OR
Would you want to pay 1-2k for a FT withOUT NS commitments

Agreed, there are some things that FT can't do that locals can.. tat is to tok singlish ..

[leslie]

If u r the boss of a company... ask urself this qns..

Would you want to pay 2-3k for a local with NS commitments OR
Would you want to pay 1-2k for a FT withOUT NS commitments

Agreed, there are some things that FT can't do that locals can.. tat is to tok singlish ..

wow lau..u mislead by garment liao..

my office

PRC FTs pay 6-6.5k
locals pay 3.8k

who says FT are cheaper?

PRC FTs studied in NTU/NUS FOC with compliments from our taxes..

my army frens all borrow money from banks go australia study..

WTH?

[chongj88]

Not to want to derail this interesting topic too much, I am always on the lookout for consultants with insurance industry knowledge - especially in any one of the areas in Life, General or Group insurance. Technical side can OJT lah but minimum must have functional knowledge in one of the above. PM me if you or you know someone who is keen ok?

Thanks.

Meanwhile coming back to this topic... When it comes to salary, it is always a sensitive topic. For me, I will always "try" to be equitable to the rest of the current employees. While salary is confidential, you'll be surprised how this info is shared around so readily... So in this sense, we try to minimize the gap especially if the new person's job scope and level is similar to the incumbents.

If your company, for some reason, pays new guys much more than the current people for doing the same work at the same level, then I say there is something very wrong with your HR...

[leslie]

my place really pays new people alot more than current..that is why old people kept on leaving for better jobs..

[ahwoon]

I don't mind FT, as long as they're good. Such as if they are top brain or scientist that can help us. In fact, the americans pulled in FTs in their development of A-bomb and fighter jet as well.

However, from the way I see, s'pore is getting in the wrong talents. The FT policy is just to drive cost down so to remain "competative" (in a way govt saying).

I was employing a engineer earlier. Believe it or not, half the candidates that wrote in are FTs. So they are in a bigger scale then we've thought earlier.

[leslie]

my office conducted a recruitment excercise recently..alot of applicants are actually on social visit passes..i think the garment FT policies are actually causing all these problems..FTs know that it is easy to get a job in singapore..

haven seen any singaporeans on tour packages to melbourne applying for jobs there..aussie rules are very simple..you want a job must get PR first..PR application cost 3k, if you cannot afford then forget it..

[seiko.citizen]

To be fair hor, I think sometimes the gov't have no choice. Mind you, I am no supporter of any political party but simply speaking from the perspective of a hiring manager...

A large part of the "success" of the Singapore economy can be attributed to the pro-business approach our gahment has adopted. The billions of dollars flowing in is no accident. Generous tax breaks, pro-employer labour policies and being seen as a credible alternative to Hong Kong has fuelled the influx of companies setting up shop here.

Trouble is that our own system does not churn out enough "qualified" people for the sheer number of jobs created. This is probably due our "guided" education system which seems slow to adjust to market needs. Eg, now the rage is all with investment and private bankers while SG was predominantly concentrating on computers, engineering and bio sciences in the last few years (except in late 2006-2007).

So in order not to let the businesses feel shortchanged about the labour situation, what better way than to open your doors to foreigners? Of course they will not be able to stop people from the perception that their jobs are being taken away. In fact that was and probably still is the feeling in Australia (perhaps seiko.citizen can shed more light here) now. Only difference now and then is that Australia's economy is booming and may have helped in muting the complaints...

Coming back home, I am facing a lot of challenges in hiring locals for my employer. Trouble is, my industry is relatively niche. And hence not many locals are interested as it is not perceived to be "high flying" or "glamorous". So no choice lor... Business has to go on right? Right now our work force is about 70% FT with the rest locals... Honestly I would take on a local anytime...

yes there is a few FT in my country too, and whilst they are not welcomed, no choice, because no one else want to do the job same situation as sg, only on a much lower scale.

now all the mining companies are poaching staff on ALL levels (ground, mid and high), thus pushing many people to go where the money is.

my office conducted a recruitment excercise recently..alot of applicants are actually on social visit passes..i think the garment FT policies are actually causing all these problems..FTs know that it is easy to get a job in singapore..

haven seen any singaporeans on tour packages to melbourne applying for jobs there..aussie rules are very simple..you want a job must get PR first..PR application cost 3k, if you cannot afford then forget it..

maybe i can get a job during my holidays and secure a PR just for fun

[leslie]

yes there is a few FT in my country too, and whilst they are not welcomed, no choice, because no one else want to do the job same situation as sg, only on a much lower scale.

now all the mining companies are poaching staff on ALL levels (ground, mid and high), thus pushing many people to go where the money is.



maybe i can get a job during my holidays and secure a PR just for fun

lol..i think you can get easily lah..u wanna exchange your aussie citizen with mine?

[wolfeyes1974]

no need million dollars. you have skill, plenty of opportunities .

i sell newspapers so no skills...how?? die lah??!! sigh...

[chongj88]

i sell newspapers so no skills...how?? die lah??!! sigh...

The ability to "sell" is one big skill already!

[wolfeyes1974]

The ability to "sell" is one big skill already!

hahahaa..i attribute it to mainly 1 factor..staying power. to me, i'm still consider young in my company/dept....it pays off to stay put at times and not be lured by more $$

younger singaporeans jump ship at the sight of more $$...

for those in sales...ask yrself...how long did u stay in yr current company or the longest ya stayed in a company? i'll tell u most will not survive more than 3 yrs (norm is 1-2 years citing change of environment)..they also jump ship because they feel that the market is saturated (SG market small mah) and a lot of pressures from bosses...the first 1-2 years are the hardest...

my point is simple...if u bite the bullet...continue to be positive....the longer u stay, the more relationships u build ..make them work..and sales will be a breeze...once u get to this point...the market/industry wld have notice u (headhunters too) and then yr value goes up...pay will eventually follows...dun rush...

i've seen my fair share of job applicants who come to me asking for $6-7K but didn't demonstrate any loyalty to the company...yes loyalty may no longer be realistic now in this economy...but i won't hire anyone who gives up every 2 years....my job relies on them too....if they screw up..i've to work doubly hard to get my targets (and theirs)...

some FTs are willing to start from scratch and they've very positive atitudes...but some don't...just look at the service sectors...now mainly PRCs and filippinos...why? cos they don't mind unglam work....they only want an opportunity...

the govt is doing a fairly good job but all system has its flaws...

the reason why i wld want to migrate is because i want a slower pace of life...quality....

cheers

[Nooch]

Folks, the FTs ie PRCs, filipinos etc are everywhere ubiquitous is the word for it. I can only think of 2 things tat i did NS for:

1. To do 2 + yrs and let e ladies have a headstart
2. To protect e FTs and they in return take our ricebowl.

Y? Cos they are cheaper. In fact I have seen so much PRCs workin in foodcourt some selling Cha Kway Teow. I remember one time I went foodcourt to order chicken rice, upon seein she look like local I order in Hokkien, Kueh Berng, e lady look at me and ask me in a heavily beijing accented mandarin wat I want... sigh...

Where'e our roots? Where's our heritage?