SDS: Recruitment Agency
specialising in recruitment services for japanese speaking job seekers in Singapore

Plentiful jobs in Singapore for low-wage workers and PMETs

WHEN I was paying for my lunch at the nearby coffee shop, the local uncle spoke to me with sympathy: "I heard that Japan would increase the sales tax by up to 10%. You had better stay in Singapore."

A recent Straits Times article by its Tokyo-based correspondent reported the statement by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry that 4.8 millions jobs would be lost by 2020 if nothing is done to stave off the hollowing-out of Japan's industries.

The situation is the reverse in Singapore.

Here, the Ministry of Manpower's latest survey of recruitment and job openings of over 12,600 companies showed that there is a demand for low-wage workers (waiters, security guards, cleaners, sales assistants and bus drivers) and PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians).

Among PMETs, the demand for teachers, management executives and sales managers was particularly strong.

For the low-wage category in the services sector, more than three out of four job openings were in community, social and personal services, wholesale and retail trade, accommodation and food services, and administrative and support services.

There was a drop in the number of job openings -- 54,000 as of September 2011 compared to 56,000 records as of June 2011. But Barclays Capital economist Leong Wai Ho says: “It is not considered significant as the number of unemployed in Singapore still closely matches the number of vacancies available.”

The survey's conclusion is that Singapore still has ample job openings, contrary to the situation in Japan.