1/3/10

Poll Results: What do you think of the government's announcement that there will be fewer foreign workers in Singapore in the next 5 years?

With its small size and population, Singapore has always been reliant on foreign labour, a fact which the government has long acknowledged. However, the foreign workers are not always greeted with open arms by Singaporeans, who perceive them as threats to their livelihood.

1/2/10

Poll Results: Do you think that Google pulling out of China is a good move?

When Google announced its plans to stop censorship in China due to several cyber attacks on its server, it caught the world by surprise. Compounded by Google’s threat to pull out of China altogether, the focus of attention on Google was intense.

18/1/10

Poll Results: Are you expecting any pay increment this year?

Recent reports have indicated that Singapore’s economy is recovering gradually from the economic crisis, supported by growth over the fourth quarter of 2009, and a drop in unemployment figures as the Integrated Resorts start hiring. But does this translate to optimism among workers with regards to pay increments?

4/1/10

Poll Results: Do you think that university graduates have unrealistic career expectations?


“Unhappiness is best defined as the difference between our talents and our expectations” – Edward de Bono

“The best things in life are unexpected - because there were no expectations” – Eli Khamarov

Unrealistically high expectations may eventually lead to greater unhappiness.

21/12/09
Poll Results: How much bonus are you expecting to get this year?

219 respondents responded to our poll on the number of months of bonus they expect to get this year. Results of the poll indicate mixed sentiments as 2009 draws closer to an end. While close to 4 in 10 (39%) do not expect to receive any bonus this year, one-third (33%) expect to receive about 1-2 months' bonus. 14% expected to receive less than 1 month’s bonus while 14% expect more than 3 months’ bonus.

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About half of the respondents (51%) who voted in our poll feel that stricter penalties should be imposed on employers who discriminate pregnant staff. On the other hand, slightly over a third (35%) felt that subsidies should be given to employers to help companies to cope when their staff gets pregnant. Only 13% were for the idea of raising awareness of employees' rights via campaigns.

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Pregnancy-related complaints have been on the rise lately and it seems that Singaporeans prefer a more pragmatic approach of implementing penalties in order to deter employers from discriminating against pregnant staff or denying them their proper compensation. Subsidies to help employers tide through and cope with the rising costs of hiring additional staff is the next most popular choice of action while raising awareness of staff's rights takes the backseat here.

If you have something to say about this issue, tell us what you think on the JobsCentral Forum here: http://forum.jobscentral.com.sg/showthread.php?p=9660#post9660

Out of a total of 253 votes, 84% feel that employers should not have the option of cutting pay for workers aged 60 and above. 11% agreed that employers should have the option while 5% were unsure. Despite the Government's recent announcement that the option to cut pay for workers aged 60 will stay, the large majority have differing opinions on this issue.