SINGAPORE - In a lengthy blog post on Friday, outgoing Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin refuted claims that Singaporean PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians) are being displaced by foreigners.
He cited the low unemployment rate of Singaporean PMETs (2.9 per cent in 2014) and the rise in their incomes over the years as evidence that Singaporean professionals were not losing their jobs to foreigners.
Mr Tan wrote that "real median income (adjusted for inflation) of Singaporean PMETs grew by about 2 per cent per annum between 2009 and 2014 while those of median Singaporean workers grew by 2.1 per cent per annum over the same period," which showed Singaporeans did not have to settle for lower-paying jobs as a result of foreign competition.
He also highlighted that the growth of foreign manpower has slowed in recent years. "The growth rate of Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass holders has slowed from 20 per cent in 2011 to 4 per cent in 2014," he wrote.
"Am I implying that there is no problem with our reliance on foreign manpower? No. We do have to grow our foreign manpower at a sustainable pace. And we have been tightening our foreign workforce policy since 2011 as part of our overall quality growth strategy.
"What I'm saying here is that the assumptions that more foreign PMETs = more Singaporean PMETs unemployed and in lower paying jobs are not borne out in numbers.
"Singaporean holding PMETs jobs, like any other occupations will face challenges as businesses restructure. What matters at the end of the day is whether one has the necessary skills required to perform the job."
Mr Tan said that the Government will "protect the interest of our locals" and not allow unfair hiring practices.
He added that with the economy continuing to grow, "there will be more jobs for Singaporeans if firms are able to get the talent they need to invest or expand their operations here".
Mr Tan will relinquish his position as Manpower Minister on May 4. He has taken over from Mr Chan Chun Sing at the Ministry of Social and Family Development from April 9.