HDB ADVERTISEMENTS FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS PROFESSIONALS

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development (a) when and on how many occasions vacancies for Accountants, Architects, Administrative Officers and Computer Professionals were advertised by the Housing and Development Board locally before they were advertised overseas in December 1985; (b) how many applications were received from Singapore residents for each of the posts; (c) how many of the Singapore applicants were selected for each post; (d) of those found unsuitable, why they were found unsuitable, post by post; (e) whether the salaries offered overseas were the same as those offered locally; and (f) whether housing was offered to overseas applicants.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: (a) In 1985, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) advertised on seven occasions locally for the posts of Accountants, Architects, Administrative Officers and Computer Professionals before the Board advertised overseas in December 1985. The dates of these advertisements are 12 January, 14 April, 16 April, 7 June, 16 August, 25 September and

28 September. (b) The number of applicants received by the HDB for each of the posts was: Architect - 47 Accountant - 344 Administrative Officer - 158 Computer Professional - 27 --- Total 576 ---

Most of these applications are from Singapore residents. (c) The number of Singapore graduate applicants selected locally for each of the above posts is shown in the Table below. For completeness,the numbers selected for other posts in the same exercises in 1985 are also shown. Architects 10 Accountants 4 Administrative Officers* 13 Computer Professionals 6 Estates Officers 106 Engineers 25 Contract Officers 6 Internal Auditors 9 Interior Designer 1 --- Total 180 ---

*Includes Assistant Secretaries.

(d) Those who were not selected either did not have the relevant qualification, working experience, or were found to be unsuitable during the interviews. Others were not selected because they had high salary expectations that the Board could not match. These were professionals who were already holding senior positions in the private sector.

(e) The salaries offered overseas were the same as those offered locally.

(f) Housing was offered to overseas applicants under the Housing for Non-citizen Middle Level Executive Scheme. All non-citizen employees in both the public and private sectors are eligible for HDB rental flats under the Scheme.