S'pore's productivity well below most developed countries: DPM Tharman

ALL content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1247694/1/.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Singapore's productivity is well below that of the most developed countries, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, he noted that restaurants here are experiencing difficulties finding employees.

Mr Tharman said some restaurants still have difficulty finding people, because the overall labour market is close to full employment.

Mr Tharman said these are real problems for businesses, but the solution is not to ease up on foreign worker policies.

He said the solution has to be more fundamental.

Using restaurants in the US, Europe, Japan, and Hong Kong as examples, he noted that they have fewer workers, but are still able to do well. The same employee handles more duties, and serves more tables.

Mr Tharman added the employees are well-paid, both full-time and part-time, know their stuff, including details of the dishes on the menu, and are well trained.

The restaurants also employ older workers, give them good jobs with some adjustments where required, and customers treat them with respect.

Mr Tharman said productivity then becomes key to upgrading incomes and standards of living - and transforming jobs is the only 'fundamental and sustainable' solution.

However customers too have to play their part by treating workers in ordinary jobs with respect.