Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, recently said that the country will “protect workers, not jobs” when it comes to jobs. This approach is aimed at helping employees bounce back from setbacks and ensure that they have access to better career prospects.
In his speech to the Citizens’ Panel, Wong said that Singapore’s goal is not to protect jobs, because that would slow down the process of innovation and stop the creation of new and better jobs. Wong knows that a statement like this can be scary for people whose jobs are at risk, but he reassured the public that the government is stepping up its efforts to help Singaporeans retrain, improve their skills, and find new jobs more easily.
Engaging Employers
To achieve this goal, there are three main things that need to be done. The first is to engage employers. Employers are the ones who create jobs, so it’s crucial to help them grow and transform their businesses. This involves redesigning jobs to achieve their goals and identifying the kinds of skill sets they need for their future workforce.
Working Closely with Training Providers
The second thing that needs to be done is to work closely with training providers. Training providers need to know what employers and the industry need, so they can come up with effective courses that can fill the skills gap. They must also keep training standards high and strict to make sure that workers have the skills they need for the jobs of the future.
Engaging Workers Directly
Finally, workers themselves need to be engaged through unions and direct appeals. Workers must be willing to adjust to change and keep learning new skills to keep up with the economy’s churn. This can be unsettling and disruptive, but it’s essential for workers to understand that protecting their jobs will hold back innovation and hinder the creation of new and better job opportunities.
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Singapore’s “protect workers, not jobs” approach is innovative and forward-thinking. By engaging employers, training providers, and workers themselves, Singapore is taking steps to ensure that its workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to adapt to changing economic conditions. The government’s efforts to reskill, upskill, and transition Singaporeans to new job opportunities are admirable and necessary to keep the country’s economy thriving.
