Holistic solution needed to problem of laid-off PMETs

The world economic outlook remains bleak. Singapore has not been spared, with job losses rising as our major industries, including banking, oil and gas, offshore marine and property, continue to downsize and cope with the slump.

Last year’s worker layoffs were at a six-year high and will get worse this year. Professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) accounted for 71 per cent of the numbers.

However, what is disturbing is that younger well-educated Singaporeans, in their 30s and 40s, are losing their jobs and not getting a new one befitting their educational background and more than 10 to 15 years of work experience.

This small but growing group has fallen through the cracks in our system (“PMET job losses a blow to S’pore’s small talent pool”; May 2).

The resultant pattern seems the same: They send job applications, ask help from friends and social networks and, in desperation, turn to their Members of Parliament and even career coaches.

But after months of trying, these degree holders from our local and accredited universities end up as telemarketers, commissioned sales agents, taxi drivers, et cetera, earning well below the salaries of fresh graduates.

The loss of this local talent pool has serious consequences. Besides having their morale affected, many displaced PMETs have families and often ageing parents to support, along with other financial commitments.

In a small country, a loss of one qualified local resource is one too many and unacceptable.

Perhaps it is timely to look at this group of Singaporeans holistically and even set up a ministerial task force to assist such people who have genuine employment problems.

As a last resort, government departments and government-related companies should also assist in giving priority to hiring these people if they can do the job.