S'pore warns firms on foreign workers<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE (Reuter): Labor-scarce Singapore must not rely too
\nheavily on foreign workers because of possible social and
\neconomic dangers, the labor minister said yesterday.<\/p>\n
"The ongoing problems with the Philippines over the hanging of
\na convicted Filipina domestic worker, Flor Contemplacion, is a
\nvivid example of an unexpected emotional and political turn of
\nevent which puts at risk our relationship with a labor-exporting
\ncountry," Minister for Labor Lee Boon Yang said in a speech.<\/p>\n
Singapore and the Philippines have been at diplomatic odds
\nsince the March 17 execution of confessed murderer Contemplacion.
\nThe hanging incensed Filipinos who thought Contemplacion might
\nhave been innocent.<\/p>\n
Lee said Manila's decision to ban new domestic workers from
\ngoing to Singapore was inconvenient but not an economic problem.<\/p>\n
"But you can easily imagine the consequences if we continue to
\nbecome more dependent on foreign workers in the economic sectors
\nand one day, for whatever reason, the supply of such workers is
\ninterrupted," he said.<\/p>\n
There are more than 300,000 foreign workers in the small city
\nstate of 2.8 million people.<\/p>\n
Lee cautioned entrepreneurs "against operating on the basis
\nthat there will always be a readily available pool of low-wage
\nforeign workers".<\/p>\n
He said companies should instead introduce labor-saving and
\nproductivity-enhancing technology.<\/p>\n
Lee urged employers to exercise greater restraint over their
\nrecruitment of foreign workers.<\/p>\n
"I must emphasize that we cannot accommodate as many foreign
\nworkers as employers would like to employ," he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/spore-warns-firms-on-foreign-workers-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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