PLANS TO ASSIST RETRENCHED WORKERS

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua asked the Minister for Manpower, in view of the initiatives taken to expand both financial services and manufacturing services, how he will ensure that Singapore has the necessary competencies, in terms of trained manpower, to support these initiatives, both in the immediate and long term.

Dr Lee Boon Yang: We have a limited labour pool. In the last ten years, we have to constantly augment with foreign workers to meet the needs of growing industries. It is hence a key priority of the new Ministry of Manpower to ensure as close a match between labour supply and labour demand, not just in numbers, but also in terms of trained manpower.

At the industry level, various Government agencies such as the EDB, NCB, and the MAS, have their own manpower plans. For example, in planning for the expansion of manufacturing services under Industry 21, the EDB has worked very closely with industry to map out the skills profile for the new manufacturing workforce. Industry 21 has several initiatives to address the need for trained manpower to support the expansion. The MAS also has its plan to meet the expected growth in financial services. A national plan for manpower is now being drawn up by a Manpower 21 Committee comprising the captains of industry, the Government, and the trade unions. This multi-agency and tripartite approach to manpower planning and development is necessary to cope with the needs of different industries. My Ministry will coordinate the effort of the Manpower 21 Committee to develop a workforce that will be able to meet the needs of the Singapore economy and enhance our competitiveness.

Mr Zulkifli bin Baharudin asked the Minister for Finance whether he will consider introducing measures for Government agencies to introduce plans to assist retrenched workers if they have difficulties in paying charges and fees such as those relating to utilities, telephone, Housing and Development Board rent and mortgage instalments, and property and income taxes.