Hiring outlook: More short-term contracts on the cards
Labour market watchers say companies in Singapore may increase headcount in the coming months, as economic activity picks up towards the year-end. However, they expect that some of the hiring will lean towards short-term contracts.
SINGAPORE: With economic growth seen picking up, after a weaker than expected start to the year, firms may be more willing to hire towards the year-end. Human Capital Singapore, the national human resource training centre, says vacancies may open up in banking and finance, among other sectors.
"If you look at some statistics that were released in the market, it has indicated that at least about 53 per cent have indicated that they will hire more. And out of this 53 per cent, 33 per cent of them are saying that, they are looking at, at least hiring another 10 additional headcounts," said Chief Executive of Human Capital Singapore, Ms Ho Geok Choo.
With foreign worker limits in place, service-oriented industries like food and beverage may feel the squeeze. And so, to cope during busy festive seasons, more firms may look at stop-gap solutions.
"What is very fashionable nowadays is where, they are beginning to bring in people on a short-term basis - that means contract-for-service, rather than contract-of-service. So they might hire them for six months to 12 months," Ms Ho said.
However, one sector with a tepid hiring outlook may be manufacturing, with growth relatively sluggish as firms restructure.
"There is drag coming from the electronics cluster in the overall manufacturing sector. On the other hand, we are seeing some upside surprise coming from the pharmaceutical cluster, as well as the marine, offshore marine engineering cluster," said Mr Irvin Seah, a senior economist at DBS Bank. "But that being said, these two clusters tend to be quite volatile."
Economists expect the unemployment rate to be 1.9 per cent at the end of 2014. This, they say, is pretty much a situation of full employment, which means there'll be no letup in the tightness of the labour market.
- CNA/ly
- wong chee tat :)
Showing posts with label contract work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contract work. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Saturday, October 26, 2013
2 in 5 S'pore workers asked to do things unrelated to job scope
2 in 5 S'pore workers asked to do things unrelated to job scope
By John Leong
POSTED: 24 Oct 2013 12:33
UPDATED: 24 Oct 2013 23:36
Nearly two in five Singapore workers have received requests from their bosses that have nothing to do with their main job scope. 21 per cent of respondents said the requests were downright absurd.
SINGAPORE: Would you dress up as a superhero to meet clients?
Or take the rap for your boss's traffic offence?
These are just two examples cited by employees of their bosses' requests in a survey conducted by JobsCentral, a job portal.
The survey found that nearly two in five Singapore workers have received requests from their bosses that have nothing to do with their main job scope.
21 per cent of respondents said the requests were downright absurd.
Over 3,500 Singapore workers were surveyed from May to June this year.
The survey found that Generation X workers are most likely to be called upon by bosses to do non-work-related tasks.
Men are more likely than women to report taking on tasks outside their job description.
Workers from small and medium companies (SMEs) appeared to make more of such non-work-related requests.
Bosses in the construction industry are more likely to ask their subordinates to run personal errands.
This is followed by the manufacturing and services industries.
Other absurd requests made by bosses included doing homework for the boss' children, and waiting in the boss' car and keeping a lookout for summons officers as the vehicle was illegally parked.
- CNA/xq/nd
- wong chee tat :)
By John Leong
POSTED: 24 Oct 2013 12:33
UPDATED: 24 Oct 2013 23:36
Nearly two in five Singapore workers have received requests from their bosses that have nothing to do with their main job scope. 21 per cent of respondents said the requests were downright absurd.
SINGAPORE: Would you dress up as a superhero to meet clients?
Or take the rap for your boss's traffic offence?
These are just two examples cited by employees of their bosses' requests in a survey conducted by JobsCentral, a job portal.
The survey found that nearly two in five Singapore workers have received requests from their bosses that have nothing to do with their main job scope.
21 per cent of respondents said the requests were downright absurd.
Over 3,500 Singapore workers were surveyed from May to June this year.
The survey found that Generation X workers are most likely to be called upon by bosses to do non-work-related tasks.
Men are more likely than women to report taking on tasks outside their job description.
Workers from small and medium companies (SMEs) appeared to make more of such non-work-related requests.
Bosses in the construction industry are more likely to ask their subordinates to run personal errands.
This is followed by the manufacturing and services industries.
Other absurd requests made by bosses included doing homework for the boss' children, and waiting in the boss' car and keeping a lookout for summons officers as the vehicle was illegally parked.
- CNA/xq/nd
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Thursday, November 29, 2012
NTUC says most SMRT foreign bus drivers are not union members
NTUC says most SMRT foreign bus drivers are not union members
Posted: 28 November 2012 1946 hrs
SINGAPORE: The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) said foreign workers can become union members, and 140,000 of them have already done so.
In a statement on Wednesday, NTUC notes that the majority of bus drivers from China working at SBS Transit are union members. It said, however, the majority of foreign bus drivers in SMRT have not joined the union.
Responding to media queries about the illegal strike by bus drivers from China at SMRT, NTUC adds there are valuable lessons to be learnt from the incident.
It says management should recognise the positive role the union can play.
And the union will continue to step up efforts to bring more foreign workers into their membership base.
On their part, NTUC said foreign drivers should see the benefit of joining the union.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 28 November 2012 1946 hrs
SINGAPORE: The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) said foreign workers can become union members, and 140,000 of them have already done so.
In a statement on Wednesday, NTUC notes that the majority of bus drivers from China working at SBS Transit are union members. It said, however, the majority of foreign bus drivers in SMRT have not joined the union.
Responding to media queries about the illegal strike by bus drivers from China at SMRT, NTUC adds there are valuable lessons to be learnt from the incident.
It says management should recognise the positive role the union can play.
And the union will continue to step up efforts to bring more foreign workers into their membership base.
On their part, NTUC said foreign drivers should see the benefit of joining the union.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Half of Singaporeans find bosses unsupportive of vacation time: poll
Half of Singaporeans find bosses unsupportive of vacation time: poll
Posted: 19 November 2012 1816 hrs
SINGAPORE: Almost half of Singaporeans say their bosses are unsupportive of vacation time, revealed the 2012 Vacation Deprivation Study conducted by online travel company Expedia.
The annual study did an online poll with 8,500 employees across 22 countries between September 13 and October 12, including countries such as Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, US, UK, France, Australia, Japan, South Korea and India.
Latest results from the study showed 'pressure from superiors' as one of the biggest contributing factors to Singaporeans failing to clear all of their annual leave.
The study also revealed that 80 per cent of its Singapore respondents checked on work matters while on holiday, while 41 per cent have postponed vacations for work.
Worryingly, 11 per cent of Singaporeans surveyed indicated that 'work is life' for them and 14 per cent were under the impression that taking a vacation would trigger negative sentiments in the workplace.
"With the widespread global connectivity we enjoy nowadays, it is not at all surprising that Singaporeans are finding it difficult to detach themselves from work. Furthermore, there might also be a decrease in perceptions of job security that has Singaporeans put in the extra hours at work, even when away on holiday," explained Dan Lynn, CEO, AirAsiaExpedia.
Although bosses came out top in Singaporean's vacation woes, the survey also found that the inability to coordinate with family also ranked high on Singaporeans' list of vacation impediments at 32 per cent, followed by lack of planning at 21 per cent.
16 per cent also cited financial considerations as a deterrent when planning for a getaway, up 3 per cent from 2011.
Internationally, the study showed that Asia was the world's most vacation-deprived region, with employees continuing to take the fewest days off and work the longest weeks.
Japanese and Koreans workers trail the field with the average Japanese worker taking only five out of the 13 days off granted each year and South Koreans taking seven out of a possible 10 vacation days.
In contrast, workers in France, Spain, and Brazil report taking their full 30 vacation days off, while Germans take 28 of a possible 30 days off, and British, Norwegian and Swedish workers taking all 25 days they are given.
Employees in Asia also work the longest weeks with Korean, Singaporean and Taiwanese workers clocking in a staggering average of 44 hours a week.
The Dutch work only 35 hours a week, the fewest among the 22 nations surveyed.
The study also showed that an average of 50 per cent of respondents in Asia were unsure if their bosses were supportive of them taking time off, with 59 per cent of Koreans and 54 per cent of Taiwanese citing their head honchos as an obstacle to taking a holiday,
At 24 per cent, employees in India are the luckiest workers in the region when it comes to receiving positive affirmation from their bosses for taking days off.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 19 November 2012 1816 hrs
SINGAPORE: Almost half of Singaporeans say their bosses are unsupportive of vacation time, revealed the 2012 Vacation Deprivation Study conducted by online travel company Expedia.
The annual study did an online poll with 8,500 employees across 22 countries between September 13 and October 12, including countries such as Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, US, UK, France, Australia, Japan, South Korea and India.
Latest results from the study showed 'pressure from superiors' as one of the biggest contributing factors to Singaporeans failing to clear all of their annual leave.
The study also revealed that 80 per cent of its Singapore respondents checked on work matters while on holiday, while 41 per cent have postponed vacations for work.
Worryingly, 11 per cent of Singaporeans surveyed indicated that 'work is life' for them and 14 per cent were under the impression that taking a vacation would trigger negative sentiments in the workplace.
"With the widespread global connectivity we enjoy nowadays, it is not at all surprising that Singaporeans are finding it difficult to detach themselves from work. Furthermore, there might also be a decrease in perceptions of job security that has Singaporeans put in the extra hours at work, even when away on holiday," explained Dan Lynn, CEO, AirAsiaExpedia.
Although bosses came out top in Singaporean's vacation woes, the survey also found that the inability to coordinate with family also ranked high on Singaporeans' list of vacation impediments at 32 per cent, followed by lack of planning at 21 per cent.
16 per cent also cited financial considerations as a deterrent when planning for a getaway, up 3 per cent from 2011.
Internationally, the study showed that Asia was the world's most vacation-deprived region, with employees continuing to take the fewest days off and work the longest weeks.
Japanese and Koreans workers trail the field with the average Japanese worker taking only five out of the 13 days off granted each year and South Koreans taking seven out of a possible 10 vacation days.
In contrast, workers in France, Spain, and Brazil report taking their full 30 vacation days off, while Germans take 28 of a possible 30 days off, and British, Norwegian and Swedish workers taking all 25 days they are given.
Employees in Asia also work the longest weeks with Korean, Singaporean and Taiwanese workers clocking in a staggering average of 44 hours a week.
The Dutch work only 35 hours a week, the fewest among the 22 nations surveyed.
The study also showed that an average of 50 per cent of respondents in Asia were unsure if their bosses were supportive of them taking time off, with 59 per cent of Koreans and 54 per cent of Taiwanese citing their head honchos as an obstacle to taking a holiday,
At 24 per cent, employees in India are the luckiest workers in the region when it comes to receiving positive affirmation from their bosses for taking days off.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
Malaysians among the world’s top workaholics, says survey
Tuesday November 20, 2012
Malaysians among the world’s top workaholics, says survey
By P. ARUNA
aruna@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are proving to be among the world's biggest workaholics, with almost 90% of the workforce working even when they are on holiday.
According to Expedia's 2012 Vacation Deprivation Survey, Malaysia has the world's fourth most dedicated workforce, after India, Brazil and Italy, with employees who can't seem to “let go” of their work during vacations.
Conducted based on 8,000 employed adults from 22 countries throughout the globe, the survey also revealed that Malaysians spent about 40 hours a week at work but received only an average of 14 days of annual leave, among the lowest in the world.
The survey, by the online travel website, also found that despite the limited number of days, Malaysians, on average, did not use about 7% of their leave.
The main reasons cited by respondents for not using up their leave include the option of carrying-forward their leave to the next calendar year, and being unable to coordinate travel dates with their travel partners.
A shocking 40% of the respondents said they were reluctant to go on vacation because they feared their bosses would not be happy about it.
About 15% were worried that going on holiday would reflect negatively on their careers.
“It is worrying that so many Malaysians feel guilty about going on holiday.
“Studies have shown that employees who take regular breaks to revitalise their minds and bodies are often more productive and effective in the workplace,” said AirAsia Expedia CEO Dan Lynn in a statement yesterday.
The survey found that respondents in most developed nations had cited financial constraints as the main reason for not going on vacation.
Among Malaysians, however, only 9% of the respondents said they would sacrifice a holiday due to limited funds.
Asia proved to be the world's most “vacation-deprived” region, with Asians taking the lowest number of holidays and clocking-in the most number of hours each week.
Europeans, on the other hand, have between 25 and 30 days of leave each year, without taking into account state and religious holidays.
British, Norwegian and Swedish workers said they utilised all 25 days given to them.
The Dutch, on the other hand, work only 35 hours a week, the lowest among the 22 countries surveyed.
- wong chee tat :)
Malaysians among the world’s top workaholics, says survey
By P. ARUNA
aruna@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are proving to be among the world's biggest workaholics, with almost 90% of the workforce working even when they are on holiday.
According to Expedia's 2012 Vacation Deprivation Survey, Malaysia has the world's fourth most dedicated workforce, after India, Brazil and Italy, with employees who can't seem to “let go” of their work during vacations.
Conducted based on 8,000 employed adults from 22 countries throughout the globe, the survey also revealed that Malaysians spent about 40 hours a week at work but received only an average of 14 days of annual leave, among the lowest in the world.
The survey, by the online travel website, also found that despite the limited number of days, Malaysians, on average, did not use about 7% of their leave.
The main reasons cited by respondents for not using up their leave include the option of carrying-forward their leave to the next calendar year, and being unable to coordinate travel dates with their travel partners.
A shocking 40% of the respondents said they were reluctant to go on vacation because they feared their bosses would not be happy about it.
About 15% were worried that going on holiday would reflect negatively on their careers.
“It is worrying that so many Malaysians feel guilty about going on holiday.
“Studies have shown that employees who take regular breaks to revitalise their minds and bodies are often more productive and effective in the workplace,” said AirAsia Expedia CEO Dan Lynn in a statement yesterday.
The survey found that respondents in most developed nations had cited financial constraints as the main reason for not going on vacation.
Among Malaysians, however, only 9% of the respondents said they would sacrifice a holiday due to limited funds.
Asia proved to be the world's most “vacation-deprived” region, with Asians taking the lowest number of holidays and clocking-in the most number of hours each week.
Europeans, on the other hand, have between 25 and 30 days of leave each year, without taking into account state and religious holidays.
British, Norwegian and Swedish workers said they utilised all 25 days given to them.
The Dutch, on the other hand, work only 35 hours a week, the lowest among the 22 countries surveyed.
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Survey shows poly graduates in high demand despite downturn
Survey shows poly graduates in high demand despite downturn
By Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 06 January 2010 1136 hrs
By Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 06 January 2010 1136 hrs
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 Office workers in Singapore |
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SINGAPORE: Despite the recession, diploma-holders appear to have no trouble finding work. A recent survey by Singapore's five polytechnics showed that nearly nine in 10 graduates last year were employed, with a growing number seeking temporary jobs.
Fresh grad employment rate stood at 88.3 per cent, while post-NS employment rate was 87.7 per cent.
Renugah Balachandran graduated from Republic Polytechnic last year. Within a month, she found a job with the Singapore Navy, under a scheme that will bond her for four years.
She said: "I wanted a stable job once I graduated so that I don't have to sit down and think that - 'why did I study?'"
Stability is certainly a big draw for the growing number of diploma holders who are looking at the public sector, which also started hiring more aggressively in 2009.
The healthcare and education sectors were among those that stepped up recruitment efforts.
The survey showed that 18.9 per cent of fresh polytechnic graduates found jobs in the civil service, up from 14.3 per cent in 2008 and 12.3 per cent in 2007.
Among post-NS graduates, the proportion went up to 27.3 per cent.
Tan Hang Cheong, principal, Singapore Polytechnic, said: "Last year, the government opened up more places because of the recession. The public sector has now offered better career development, advances, for diploma graduates.
"We hear stories of graduates who've joined the public sector and they've been offered scholarships for further studies and further development if they're doing well in their job."
Pay could be another reason.
Renugah earns about S$2,300 a month including allowance, much higher than the S$1,776 gross her peers earn on average.
Post-National Service graduates earn about S$2,130 on average.
Starting salaries for fresh diploma-holders have dipped and recruiters said anecdotally, wages at bigger firms have gone down to a bigger extent than what smaller firms are offering. Still, the draw remains.
Peter Haglund, country manager, Manpower Inc Singapore, said: "Most of what these MNCs have is a whole package of career management, career prospects and personnel development, which many of the small companies don't have.
"These benefits cost money as well. If you look at the whole employment package, they might not offer less value, but they might offer you less gross salary."
Highest earners are those in the maritime category, with starting pay of S$1,970 gross. Media and Design graduates got the least, at just S$1,642 gross.
With the economy still in recession early last year, more poly graduates chose part-time or temporary work - one in four compared to one in five in the previous survey.
The reasons are varied. Some are holding out for better job opportunities while others have opted for further studies.
Recruiters added that as companies find increasingly flexible ways to manage their manpower, the type of contract work that is being offered has also become increasingly attractive.
Graduate employment data for degree holders is expected to be out in March.
But a survey by the Singapore Human Resource Institute showed that in August 2009, while entry level pay for diploma holders rose slightly from February, that for degree holders dipped.
For instance, those with engineering degrees were offered on average S$2,451, compared to S$2,500 six months before.
- CNA/vm
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
1-in-3 Singapore professionals "happy" to take up contract work
1-in-3 Singapore professionals "happy" to take up contract work
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 22 April 2009 1946 hrs
SINGAPORE: A survey has shown that one in three professional workers in Singapore are happy to take on contract work, but this figure still falls short of the global average of one in two.
The web poll by recruitment consultant Robert Walters saw 4,288 respondents from 17 countries.
700 respondents were from Singapore; of which half said they would consider contract work only if permanent positions were not available. 17 per cent said they would not consider contract work at all.
Across the Asia Pacific, those from Australia and New Zealand were most open to the idea, with six in 10 responding favourably.
42 per cent of professionals in Hong Kong said they would be happy to take on contract work; an equal proportion would consider it if there were no permanent openings; while 16 per cent said no to contract work.
Robert Walters said the numbers reflected more realistic attitudes in the economic downturn.
- CNA/yt
Does this reflect changing of attitudes in the current situation? What do you think?
- wong chee tat :)
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 22 April 2009 1946 hrs
SINGAPORE: A survey has shown that one in three professional workers in Singapore are happy to take on contract work, but this figure still falls short of the global average of one in two.
The web poll by recruitment consultant Robert Walters saw 4,288 respondents from 17 countries.
700 respondents were from Singapore; of which half said they would consider contract work only if permanent positions were not available. 17 per cent said they would not consider contract work at all.
Across the Asia Pacific, those from Australia and New Zealand were most open to the idea, with six in 10 responding favourably.
42 per cent of professionals in Hong Kong said they would be happy to take on contract work; an equal proportion would consider it if there were no permanent openings; while 16 per cent said no to contract work.
Robert Walters said the numbers reflected more realistic attitudes in the economic downturn.
- CNA/yt
Does this reflect changing of attitudes in the current situation? What do you think?
- wong chee tat :)
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