SINGAPORE: The Singapore Government took on an extraordinary role since last year when COVID-19 hit to keep companies afloat and workers employed.
Add to that the creation of temporary jobs - temperature screeners, COVID-19 test swabbers, contact tracers, contractors implementing safe management measures and safe-distancing ambassadors - that have cushioned the coronavirus’ negative impact on our domestic labour market.
In this instance, the biggest obstacle towards hiring would hence be frictional unemployment - the result of job-seekers looking out for employment opportunities until they find a suitable role. Staff wishing to remain employed in their current roles must undergo retraining and relocation to where these tasks are most performed in the new normal.
For these 15,000 temporary workers – this may be their best shot to find employment in a new industry away from their previous careers, upskill themselves in a way they never thought possible. It’s not inconceivable for the Singapore worker to upskill themselves. There have been success stories about many Singaporeans transiting to logistics, supply chain management, or even healthcare-related nursing or education fields, especially through professional conversion programmes, with a fair bit of gumption and open mindsets.
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