Labour issues are common, even for an economic powerhouse and corporate hub like Singapore, who is a triple-A rated economy and a good place to register and start a business. Some of the labour issues that Singapore faces are listed below.
Is There Labour Shortage in Singapore?
One of the issues is there is a shortage of labour in Singapore. There are 3 key reasons why this is so, namely:
To tackle the labour shortage in Singapore, the government has steadily continued to attract top talents globally. One of the ways they are doing so is through the latest introduction of the Singapore Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass.
Instead of opening the flood gates to foreign professionals, they are carefully selecting the right candidates to supplement the local work force.
Gender Inequality
As like most countries, gender inequality remains a key issue in Singapore. The average woman who works in Singapore full-time earns just 87.5% of what her male counterparts earns. This is more common in the following industries:
- Manufacturing
- Accommodation
- Healthcare
- Social services
- Information & Communications
- Food services
If you’re interested in starting a business in these industries, you should know that doing so requires a business license. Reach out to us to get your business license in Singapore, along with other services like corporate secretary, taxation, and more!
Such gender inequality encourages local women to go abroad to work and achieve their career goals.
Many foreigners working in Singapore do not have high levels of social support and they are unsure of their rights. Some of the issues that they may face are:
However, the government and authorities are doing their best to resolve these situations. The lack of social support for foreigners are usually for those who are on Work Permits such as construction workers. These group of individuals are less likely to speak out to shed light on their problems.
For foreigners who are on S Pass or Employment Pass, it is important that you have a binding contract with your employer to ensure that you are well protected. The Singapore Employment Act only covers workers who are earning a salary of less than S$2,600.
This means that the Act does not cover and protect you if you are earning above the benchmark. That’s why understanding your rights and employee benefits stated in your employment contract is key.
Singapore: Popular Working Destination
Despite these issues, Singapore is still a great place to work as it boasts a thriving economy.
If you are a foreigner who would like to work in Singapore, we can assist you in getting your employment pass and necessary documents! Chat with us to find out more.
FAQs
Nope, you must register a company to run your online business.
Yes, you can.
Yes, to incorporate a company in Singapore, you need at least one local resident. As a foreigner, you can appoint a nominee director or get an employment pass.
Some of the popular businesses in Singapore are laundry, online marketing, e-commerce, financial services, cleaning service, content writing and consulting.
Lack of Social Support for Foreigners