I. HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Labour supply

We will allow industries or enterprises with higher skill or higher technology content, and those with prospects of going on to more sophisticated manufacture, to recruit labour on work permits liberally. However, female migrant workers employed in industry should have some primary education. Moreover, all work permit holders, male or female, will have a temporary work permit until they have passed a medical examination. This is to help ensure that the strength of our labour force is not weakened with the infusion of work permit holders of poor education or health.

To increase the pool of our indigenous labour force, more Singapore women will be encouraged to seek employment. More women will work if wages were higher, and there are provision of creches and kindergartens, and if clean factories are sited near or in Housing and Development Board estates. Part-time employment, and contracting of work to housewives in their homes on piece-rate (particularly in the manufacture of garments and textiles) will tap a vast reservoir of labour at present not utilised. Higher female employment will increase the total family incomes and improve social conditions of the lower paid families.

Skill acquisition

Our workers must acquire skills appropriate to a modern, industrial society. Our industries must not be hampered by skill shortages.

The Government proposes to establish an Industrial Training Board. The Board will undertake and co-ordinate all aspects of industrial training, including apprenticeship schemes, on-the-job and off-the-job training. Employers have promised to support these schemes as they will make available the skilled manpower they need.

As our industrial and commercial enterprises become more sophisticated, the need for high-quality managerial expertise becomes vital. This is true of both large and small establishments. The National Productivity Board aims to raise the quality of management, particularly in its relationship with, and efficient use of, workers. Labour utilisation

The task of the recently reorganised Employment Service of the Ministry is not simply to find jobs for the unemployed. By matching unemployed workers and job vacancies faster, by raising job satisfaction through better matching of worker aptitude and ability with job requirements, and by providing more accurate labour market information, the Employment Service will improve labour utilisation.