A Reddit user's query about Singaporeans' unique advantages in the job market has sparked discussion, especially as jobs are outsourced to lower-salaried ASEAN counterparts. The user asks what makes local workers worth significantly higher salaries when foreign workers are catching up in competency. Concerns are also raised about local workers becoming complacent, potentially losing their edge in an increasingly competitive global landscape where cost savings from outsourcing are substantial.
SINGAPORE: A local Reddit user wanted to know what competitive advantage Singaporeans have in the current job market , amid jobs being outsourced to employees who ask for lower salaries. In their recent post, u/throw2503 clarified that they did not mean roles in the government, those that require security clearance, or jobs that specifically require Singaporeans when a firm has no quota for work passes.
“Apart from these excluded jobs, what do we really offer to employers that makes it worth it to pay us 3x-5x the salaries of our ASEAN counterparts in their own countries. How could we differentiate ourselves?” the post author asked. They added in an edit that their department director, a Singaporean, has said that young local workers have become too complacent and have therefore lost their edge in the job market. In the past, conventional wisdom had it that a good education and producing good quality work were enough to give someone an edge at work, u/throw2503 wrote, adding that they believe that “workers from neighbouring countries are catching up in terms of competency, and thus, Singaporeans are getting too expensive for the little additional value they offer.” Concern has been expressed over the past few years about Singaporeans losing jobs to regional hires, mainly due to lower costs and access to talent. The reduction in costs certainly is substantial, given that companies can save as much as 70% and 80% when they hire from overseas. Most of these jobs involve support functions, such as IT, customer service, data processing, and back office work. However, while there is evidence that lower- and mid-skill roles face real competition from cheaper overseas labour, Singapore has adapted to the situation, keeping high-value, strategic, and regional roles at home.“To be objective, the typical SG worker has better logical thinking and analytical skills compared to our neighbours… The problem is that many companies don’t require good thinkers, just cheap workers,” wrote one. “It’s very simple, it’s a lot easier to find top talent in SG as long as you are willing to pay well. It’s considerably harder to staff an elite workforce out in Malaysia or the Philippines because anyone with some capability would usually move out of the country to somewhere where they can earn a better wage ,” added another. “I personally also have more faith in the work done by fellow S’poreans, or at least those who work/study here… When I was on exchange, the profs were surprised at our work quality, which wasn’t even at 1/10 of our full effort. Speaks much about the quality of people we have here,” a Reddit user opined, adding, “I think we bash ourselves up a bit too much sometimes.” “Among the mid-career managers and C-level executives I’ve spoken to from MNCs, work ethic, process efficiencies, integrity, multilingualism, and respect for seniors are key – the Singapore brand. However, what truly distinguishes them is their acute sense of self-reflection on their strengths and weaknesses and the areas for improvement,” another wrote. /TISG Singapore tech employee says his role will be outsourced to India in 6 months, seeks advice on how to prepare for retrenchment‘Feels like flying’ — Private hire driver warned after speeding complaint from passenger during early-morning ride A Grab driver was caught speeding early in the morning, prompting a passenger to complain that"the whole ride felt like flying." The Grab driver involved has been warned.‘Singapore does not condone the use of forced labour in supply chains’ — MTI pushes back on US probe “There is no evidence of Singapore’s role in supply chains of goods associated with forced labour to the U.S.” — Ministry of Trade and Industry document.addEventListener=>{ const trigger=document.getElementById; if { const observer=new IntersectionObserver=>{ entries.forEach { lazyLoader; // You should define lazyLoader elsewhere or inline here observer.unobserve; // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); observer.observe; } else { // Fallback setTimeout; } });
Singaporean Jobs Outsourcing Job Market Competitive Advantage ASEAN Workers
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Olivia Tsao's Singaporean stalker deported from Taiwan with 5-year entry banTaiwanese singer Olivia Tsao said her Singaporean stalker has been deported from the country with a five-year entry ban.The 39-year-old told the media in an interview on April 14 that she saw these five years as 'protection'. She added: 'If I were to perform in Singapore, I'd ask everyone to stay alert.
Read more »
Singaporean Women's Journeys and Their Timepieces: A Chronicle of MilestonesThis article explores the non-linear life paths of Singaporean women, contrasting them with traditional male expectations and highlighting how their watch collections evolve through distinct stages of ambition, obligation, independence, and responsibility. It delves into the significance of a woman's first significant watch purchase as a marker of financial autonomy and self-recognition.
Read more »
Four Chinese Nationals Arrested for Series of Thefts at Popular Singaporean HotspotsFour Chinese nationals have been arrested in Singapore in connection with a series of thefts targeting unattended belongings in crowded areas like Marina Bay Sands, Sentosa's Palawan Beach, and VivoCity. The suspects, aged 40-50, are due in court to face charges of theft with common intent.
Read more »
Singaporean Man Becomes 'Blood Machine' After Donating 368 TimesLim Kim Koon, a 62-year-old apheresis blood donor, has donated blood 368 times since his first donation in 1983. He maintains a strict lifestyle, including daily 10km runs and dietary control, to ensure he can donate regularly. Kim Koon views himself as a 'blood machine' dedicated to helping patients and actively encourages others to donate through his example.
Read more »
Singaporean donates blood 345 times after life-saving transfusion post-accidentFor some, the thought of injections can be daunting — let alone donating blood regularly.For one man, it became a way of giving back after he received a life-saving blood transfusion following a serious accident years ago, and he has since donated blood more than 345 times.In a Facebook post on Wednesday (April 15), Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung.
Read more »
Singaporean donates blood 296 times after life-saving transfusion post-accidentEditor's note: An earlier version of this story said that Ang donated blood 345 times, as was mentioned in Health Minister Ong Ye Kung's Facebook post. Minister Ong has since edited his post to say that Ang has donated 296 times.For some, the thought of injections can be daunting — let alone donating blood regularly.For one man, it became a...
Read more »