ISSUE RAISED BY LOUIS NG KOK KWANG IN PARLIAMENT ON 1 MAR 2016
Video of speech
Many residents are concerned about the slowdown in the global economy. The PMETs especially are concerned about being retrenched and if there are unfortunately retrenched, what assistance will be provided to them to re-train and upgrade themselves for re-employment. I raised these concerns in Parliament and Minister Lim Swee Say replied that:
“The Ministry of Manpower is committed to actively support retrenched workers, including Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs), to secure new employment. Besides helping them to improve skills through the SkillsFuture Credit, the Government also offers the SkillsFuture Mid-career Enhanced Subsidy for Singaporeans aged 40 and above to receive up to 90% subsidy of course fees for WDA-supported courses and at least 90% of programme cost for MOE-subsidised full-time and part-time courses.
PMETs, including those retrenched, who wish to undergo skills conversion and change their professions, can tap on Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs). Salary support of up to 70% of the monthly salary (subject to a cap of $2,000) is given to employers who hire them, with enhanced funding support for mature and long-term unemployed PMETs.
To help match job-seeking PMETs with suitable positions in SMEs, the P-Max programme supports SMEs in the recruitment, training and management of PMETs with job- matching services, workshops, and an Assistance Grant of $5,000.
In addition, the Career Support Programme (CSP) launched in October last year, helps Singaporean PMETs aged 40 and above to have better access to mid- and higher-level jobs while learning on-the-job. Under this programme, employers are given wage support for employing mature PMETs who have been actively searching for jobs for at least six months with a monthly gross salary of at least $4,000.
Above all, WDA and e2i also help connect retrenched and at-risk PMETs to potential employers through platforms such as the Jobs Bank portal, job fairs, recruitment and networking events. The Ministry is also monitoring the current economic and labour market situation closely, and stands ready to strengthen employment support for all workers.”