[b]Future of Singapore[/b]
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Monday, October 02, 2006
When I read the Straits Times article (dated 24 Sep) on PM Lee calling the young to be committed and make a difference to Singapore, I have so much thought about the issue.
I am 35 years old, graduated from University and gainfully employed in a multinational company. But I cannot help but feel insecure over the future of Singapore. Lets face it, it’s not uncommon to hear, “when you are above 40, you are over the hill”. The government has been stressing on re-training, skills upgrading and re-adapt. The fact is, no matter how well qualified or adaptable one is, once you hit the magical 40, employers will say, “you are simply too old”.
We have been focusing our resources and problem solving on low unskilled labour. But in reality, our managerial positions and skilled labour force are actually fast losing its competitiveness. I travel around the region frequently for the past 10 years. It didnÂ’t take me long to realise how far our neighbours have come over the past decade. They have quality skilled workers, and are less expensive. When I work with them, their analytical skills are equally good, if not better than us.
It’s not new anymore. Taxi drivers are fast becoming “too early to retire, too old to work” segment of the society. I like to talk to taxi drivers whenever I am heading for the airport. There was this driver. Eloquent and well read. He was an export manager for 12 years with an MNC. Retrenched at 40 years old. He had been searching for a job since his retrenchment. Although he was willing to lower his pay expectations, employers were not willing to lower their prejudice. He was deem too old. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have another No. 1; having the most highly educated taxi drivers in the world.
On PM Lee calling the young to be committed and make a difference. Look around us. How dedicated can we be to Singapore when we can visualise whatÂ’s in store for us after we turned 40? Then again, how committed are employers to us? But we canÂ’t blame them. They have bottom lines & shareholdersÂ’ gain to answer to. Onus is really on the government to revamp the society. A society that is not a pressure cooker. A society that does not mirror so perfectly, what survival of the fittest is. But a society, where itÂ’s people can be committed, do their best and not having to fear whether they will still wake up employed tomorrow. Sadly, Singapore does not offer such luxuries and security anymore.
On the issue of babies. The government encourage us to pro-create. The next generation is essential in sustaining our competitive edge. Then again, the current market condition is such that our future has become uncertain. There is no more joy in having babies anymore; they have become more of a liability. ItÂ’s really a chicken and egg issue.
Many of my peers, bright and well educated have packed up and left. It’s what MM Goh called “quitters”. It’s sad but true, Singapore no longer is a place where one can hope to work hard their lives and retire graciously. It’s really the push factor. A future is something we sweat it out, build and call our own. Unfortunately, people like me, mid 30’s going on 40’s, staying put by choice or otherwise, we can’t help but feel what lies ahead is really a gamble.
To PM Lee and the Ministers, we are on a different platform. Until you truly understand our insecurity, the future of Singapore to me remains a question mark.
posted by Derek at 10:51 PM 32 comments
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When I read the Straits Times article (dated 24 Se...
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October 2006 -
Hey bro.,
It's a good article, it addresses issues that are current & outstanding; "old" and un-wanted, & the low birth rate. Both of these, are contributed by ONE singular factor - HIGH LIVING/OPERATING COSTS.
So it is CORRECT, that our gov should buck the hell up, and get things rectified before a motherlode CRAP, hits the giant fan!!!
Why DO THEY, always have to wait till CRAP hits the fan???
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it is not that they wanted to focus only on low unskilled labour it is cos they have no idea on what to do for the managerial and skilled labour!Originally posted by Lowclassman:We have been focusing our resources and problem solving on low unskilled labour. But in reality, our managerial positions and skilled labour force are actually fast losing its competitiveness.
posted by Derek at 10:51 PM 32 comments -
Great article, just love people who express their view and share with the masses
On PM Lee calling the young to be committed and make a difference. Look around us. How dedicated can we be to Singapore when we can visualise whatÂ’s in store for us after we turned 40? Then again, how committed are employers to us?
The government encourage us to pro-create. The next generation is essential in sustaining our competitive edge. Then again, the current market condition is such that our future has become uncertain.
Many of my peers, bright and well educated have packed up and left. It’s what MM Goh called “quitters”. It’s sad but true, Singapore no longer is a place where one can hope to work hard their lives and retire graciously.
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Would like to use the battery analogy. View everyone’s life as a battery, when you are a kid the streaming of the education system determines if you are a zinc-carbon (Eveready), alkaline (Energizer) or the rechargeable batteries (categories range from Nickel cadmium - lithium – fuel cell). At that point of time the system determines your capacity and your lifetime of contribution to the economy. And hence shape you for your future roles.
From the age of 20 to 40 ++ you will be giving off charges (work and work, day and night) and create new batteries. When it is the end of your battery life and no longer can provide for the society you will be discarded by the society. And the younger batteries will ‘hopefully’ look after the older ones …..
While some of the elite rechargeable and fuel cell can carry on and on, just need occasional recharge or topping up of electrolyte. However this only belongs to the top 5% of the populations, who also determine what the rest 95% will be doing.
To relate back to the article. The rechargeable ones are like the employers that draw charges from the employee. When the per unit charge become too expansive or the battery become too weak. They will be discarded.
In order for the economy prosper, there must be an incremental growth in batteries population not decline. So the solution is the get new replacements from oversea. Further if local one cannot or finding difficulties providing for themselves or their family of batteries, then the only choice is to leave and look for a better load to serve elsewhere. -
I m partially agreed with yr analogy!!!Originally posted by justcooler:Great article, just love people who express their view and share with the masses
Would like to use the battery analogy. View everyone’s life as a battery, when you are a kid the streaming of the education system determines if you are a zinc-carbon (Eveready), alkaline (Energizer) or the rechargeable batteries (categories range from Nickel cadmium - lithium – fuel cell). At that point of time the system determines your capacity and your lifetime of contribution to the economy. And hence shape you for your future roles.
From the age of 20 to 40 ++ you will be giving off charges (work and work, day and night) and create new batteries. When it is the end of your battery life and no longer can provide for the society you will be discarded by the society. And the younger batteries will ‘hopefully’ look after the older ones …..
While some of the elite rechargeable and fuel cell can carry on and on, just need occasional recharge or topping up of electrolyte. However this only belongs to the top 5% of the populations, who also determine what the rest 95% will be doing.
To relate back to the article. The rechargeable ones are like the employers that draw charges from the employee. When the per unit charge become too expansive or the battery become too weak. They will be discarded.
In order for the economy prosper, there must be an incremental growth in batteries population not decline. So the solution is the get new replacements from oversea. Further if local one cannot or finding difficulties providing for themselves or their family of batteries, then the only choice is to leave and look for a better load to serve elsewhere.
But pls do remember we as a human being stll has a brain to think besides the physical boby which may be deteriorated as time passes by, but our experiance and knowlege gained and learned from this life living in the world will be with us 4ever!!!This cant be replaced by the young bodyself .
I had seen a lot of ppls with master degrees were unemployed now cauz their knowledge is irrelevant to the world economic n developement.
Of course,it is very prudence for u to prepare yrself when u r 40 yrs old as yr salary had reached the highest level which may not make an economic sense 2 yr boss!!But on the hand,if u r a Doc or in professionals fields where experiance is the utmost important matter,u may not need to worry when u reached the age of 40 yrs old. -
Originally posted by foomwee88:
If we are all professional (10% of the population) and owning a business then the experience will be relevent to continuation of our livelihood.
But pls do remember we as a human being stll has a brain to think besides the physical boby which may be deteriorated as time passes by, [b]but our experiance and knowlege gained and learned from this life living in the world will be with us 4ever!!!This cant be replaced by the young bodyself .
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But if we are the rest 90%, then when the time comes we will be at the chopping board. Even the gov care less about the "chargless batteries" -
we're gonna build gundams and become rename singapore to orb.